US10537216B2 - Handheld surface cleaning apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A hand vacuum cleaner has an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet. A cyclone chamber positioned in the air flow path has a cyclone air inlet and a cyclone air outlet. A pre-motor filter is positioned downstream of the cyclone air outlet and a suction motor is positioned in the air flow path downstream of the pre-motor filter. The pre-motor filter is vertically spaced from the cyclone axis of rotation when the upper end of the hand vacuum cleaner is positioned above the lower end of the hand vacuum cleaner, and air travels generally rearwardly from the pre-motor filter to the suction motor.

Description

FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to surface cleaning apparatus. In a preferred embodiment, the surface cleaning apparatus comprises a portable surface cleaning apparatus, such as a hand vacuum cleaner.

INTRODUCTION

The following is not an admission that anything discussed below is part of the prior art or part of the common general knowledge of a person skilled in the art.

Various types of surface cleaning apparatus are known, including upright surface cleaning apparatus, canister surface cleaning apparatus, stick surface cleaning apparatus, central vacuum systems, and hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus such as hand vacuums. Further, various designs for cyclonic hand vacuum cleaners, including battery operated cyclonic hand vacuum cleaners are known in the art.

SUMMARY

The following introduction is provided to introduce the reader to the more detailed discussion to follow. The introduction is not intended to limit or define any claimed or as yet unclaimed invention. One or more inventions may reside in any combination or sub-combination of the elements or process steps disclosed in any part of this document including its claims and figures.

In accordance with one aspect of this disclosure, which may be used alone or in combination with any other aspect, a hand vacuum cleaner may be powered by an onboard energy source, such as a battery pack or other energy storage member. The energy storage member may include a chemical battery, such as a rechargeable battery. Some chemical batteries, such as lithium-ion batteries, may produce heat while being discharged (e.g. while supplying power to an electric motor). As disclosed herein, a hand vacuum cleaner may have an airflow path in which air exiting a cyclone chamber impinges on a wall of an energy storage chamber in which one or more energy storage devices are located. By directing relatively high-velocity airflow directly against a wall of such a chamber, cooling of an energy storage member (e.g. battery) located in the chamber may be promoted, particularly during discharge of the battery.

In accordance with this broad aspect, there is provided a hand vacuum cleaner having a front end, a rear end, an upper end, a lower end, and first and second laterally spaced apart sides, and comprising:

• • (a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet;
  • (b) a cyclone chamber positioned in the air flow path and having a cyclone air inlet, a cyclone air outlet, and a cyclone axis of rotation;
  • (c) a suction motor positioned in the air flow path upstream of the clean air outlet; and,
  • (d) at least one energy storage member positioned in an energy storage chamber having an energy storage chamber wall wherein the cyclone air outlet faces the energy storage chamber wall whereby air exiting the cyclone chamber impinges on the energy storage chamber wall.

In some embodiments, the cyclone axis of rotation may extend generally in a forward/rearward direction.

In some embodiments, the at least one energy storage member may comprise a plurality of energy storage members wherein at least some of the plurality of energy storage members are arranged one above another in a generally upwardly extending configuration when the upper end of the hand vacuum cleaner is positioned above the lower end of the hand vacuum cleaner.

In some embodiments, the energy storage members may be arranged one above another comprise longitudinally extending members each having a longitudinal axis which that extends laterally.

In some embodiments, the cyclone axis of rotation may intersect a volume defined by the generally upwardly extending configuration of energy storage members.

In some embodiments, the cyclone axis of rotation may extend generally in a forward/rearward direction.

In some embodiments, the at least one energy storage member may be removably receivable in the energy storage chamber.

In some embodiments, the at least one energy storage member may comprise a battery pack that is removably receivable in the energy storage chamber.

In some embodiments, the air flow path may comprise a portion that extends from the cyclone air outlet to the suction motor and is defined in part by the energy storage chamber wall.

In some embodiments, the portion of the air flow path may extend generally upwardly from the cyclone air outlet to the suction motor when the upper end of the hand vacuum cleaner is positioned above the lower end of the hand vacuum cleaner.

In some embodiments, the suction motor may be positioned above the cyclone axis of rotation when the upper end of the hand vacuum cleaner is positioned above the lower end of the hand vacuum cleaner.

In some embodiments, the portion of the air flow path may extend generally downwardly from the cyclone air outlet to the suction motor when the upper end of the hand vacuum cleaner is positioned above the lower end of the hand vacuum cleaner.

In some embodiments, the suction motor may be positioned below the cyclone axis of rotation when the upper end of the hand vacuum cleaner is positioned above the lower end of the hand vacuum cleaner.

In some embodiments, the hand vacuum cleaner may further comprise a handle having a hand grip portion that extends upwardly and forwardly when the upper end of the hand vacuum cleaner is positioned above the lower end of the hand vacuum cleaner wherein the handle is positioned rearward of the at least one energy storage member.

In some embodiments, the at least one energy storage member may comprise a plurality of energy storage members wherein at least some of the plurality of energy storage members are arranged one above another in a generally upwardly extending configuration when the upper end of the hand vacuum cleaner is positioned above the lower end of the hand vacuum cleaner.

In some embodiments, the hand vacuum cleaner may further comprise a finger gap positioned between the handle and the energy storage chamber.

In accordance with another aspect of this disclosure, which may be used alone or in combination with any other aspect, a hand vacuum cleaner may have a cyclone chamber, a suction motor, and pre-motor filter positioned downstream of the cyclone chamber and upstream of the suction motor. The pre-motor filter may be vertically spaced from the cyclone chamber, and air may travel generally rearwardly from the pre-motor filter to the suction motor. Promoting air to travel in this manner may help reduce or eliminate the need for additional bends or air flow direction changes between an air outlet of the pre-motor filter and the suction motor, thereby reducing backpressure and/or air flow losses through this portion of the hand vacuum cleaner due to a reduction in the number of bends in the air flow path.

In accordance with this broad aspect, there is provided a hand vacuum cleaner having a front end, a rear end, an upper end, a lower end, and first and second laterally spaced apart sides, and comprising:

• • (a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet;
  • (b) a cyclone assembly comprising a cyclone chamber positioned in the air flow path and having a cyclone air inlet, a cyclone air outlet, and a cyclone axis of rotation, wherein the cyclone axis of rotation extends generally in a forward/rearward direction;
  • (c) a pre-motor filter positioned downstream of the cyclone air outlet; and,
  • (d) a suction motor positioned in the air flow path downstream of the pre-motor filter and upstream of the clean air outlet and having a suction motor axis of rotation;
  • wherein the pre-motor filter is vertically spaced from the cyclone axis of rotation when the upper end of the hand vacuum cleaner is positioned above the lower end of the hand vacuum cleaner, and
  • wherein air travels generally rearwardly from the pre-motor filter to the suction motor.

In some embodiments, the pre-motor filter may be vertically spaced from the cyclone chamber when the upper end of the hand vacuum cleaner is positioned above the lower end of the hand vacuum cleaner.

In some embodiments, the cyclone assembly may comprise a sidewall that extends generally parallel to the cyclone axis of rotation and the pre-motor filter may have an upstream surface that extends generally parallel to the sidewall of the cyclone assembly.

In some embodiments, the pre-motor filter may have a downstream surface that is opposed to the upstream surface, and air may exit the downstream surface in a generally vertical direction when the upper end of the hand vacuum cleaner is positioned above the lower end of the hand vacuum cleaner.

In some embodiments, the pre-motor filter may at least partially overlie the cyclone chamber.

In some embodiments, the suction motor axis of rotation may be generally parallel to the cyclone axis of rotation.

In some embodiments, the suction motor may be positioned rearward of the cyclone chamber and the suction motor axis of rotation may be generally parallel to the cyclone axis of rotation.

In some embodiments, the pre-motor filter may comprise a generally cylindrical filter having a hollow interior wherein the suction motor has an inlet end that faces towards the hollow interior.

In some embodiments, the generally cylindrical filter may have an outer upstream surface and an inner downstream surface defining the hollow interior and the suction motor axis of rotation may intersect the hollow interior.

In some embodiments, the cyclone assembly may comprise a sidewall that extends generally parallel to the cyclone axis of rotation and the upstream surface of the pre-motor filter may extend generally parallel to the sidewall of the cyclone assembly.

In some embodiments, the pre-motor filter may at least partially overlie the cyclone chamber.

In some embodiments, the hand vacuum cleaner may further comprise a handle having a hand grip portion that extends upwardly and forwardly when the upper end of the hand vacuum cleaner is positioned above the lower end of the hand vacuum cleaner wherein the suction motor is located at an upper end of the handle.

In some embodiments, the suction motor may be positioned rearward of the cyclone chamber.

In some embodiments, the suction motor may be located at an upper end of the hand grip portion.

Also in accordance with this broad aspect, there is provided a hand vacuum cleaner having a front end, a rear end, an upper end, a lower end, and first and second laterally spaced apart sides, and comprising:

• • (a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet;
  • (b) a cyclone assembly comprising a cyclone chamber positioned in the air flow path and having a cyclone air inlet, a cyclone air outlet and a cyclone axis of rotation, wherein the cyclone axis of rotation extends generally in a forward/rearward direction;
  • (c) a generally cylindrical pre-motor filter positioned downstream of the cyclone air outlet and having a hollow interior; and,
  • (d) a suction motor positioned in the air flow path downstream of the pre-motor filter and upstream of the clean air outlet and having a suction motor axis of rotation that is generally parallel to the cyclone axis of rotation, wherein the suction motor has an inlet end that faces towards the hollow interior.

In some embodiments, the generally cylindrical filter may have an outer upstream surface and an inner downstream surface defining the hollow interior and the suction motor axis of rotation may intersect the hollow interior.

In some embodiments, the cyclone assembly may comprise a sidewall that extends generally parallel to the cyclone axis of rotation and the upstream surface of the pre-motor filter may extend generally parallel to the sidewall of the cyclone assembly.

In some embodiments, the pre-motor filter may at least partially overlie the cyclone chamber.

In accordance with another aspect of this disclosure, which may be used alone or in combination with any other aspect, it may be desirable for a hand vacuum cleaner to have a compact overall form, for example so it can be maneuvered around and/or between objects when being carried by a user while cleaning one or more surfaces. A compact form may also improve the ergonomics of the hand vacuum (e.g. the perceived balance or ‘hand feel’ when carried by a user). Typically, the suction motor and energy storage members (e.g. one or more batteries) may be among the heavier (if not the heaviest) individual components of the hand vacuum cleaner. While positioning the suction motor and energy storage members adjacent to each other may promote a compact design, such an arrangement may promote an undesirable concentration of mass relative to a handle of the hand vacuum cleaner. Positioning the suction motor at an upper end of a forwardly-inclined handle and rearward of at least some of the energy storage members, particularly when some or all of the energy storage members are forward of the handle, may help distribute the weight of the motor and batteries, and may affect the hand feel and/or perceived balance of the hand vacuum.

In accordance with this broad aspect, there is provided a hand vacuum cleaner having a front end, a rear end, an upper end, a lower end, and first and second laterally spaced apart sides, and comprising:

• • (a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet;
  • (b) a handle having a hand grip portion that extends upwardly and forwardly when the upper end of the hand vacuum cleaner is positioned above the lower end of the hand vacuum cleaner;
  • (c) a cyclone chamber positioned in the air flow path and having a cyclone air inlet, a cyclone air outlet, and a cyclone axis of rotation;
  • (d) at least one energy storage member positioned in an energy storage chamber; and,
  • (e) a suction motor positioned in the air flow path upstream of the clean air outlet, wherein the suction motor is located at an upper end of the handle and rearward of the at least one energy storage member when the upper end of the hand vacuum cleaner is positioned above the lower end of the hand vacuum cleaner.

In some embodiments, the suction motor may be located at an upper end of the hand grip portion.

In some embodiments, the at least one energy storage member may comprise a plurality of energy storage members wherein at least some of the plurality of energy storage members may be arranged one above another in a generally upwardly extending configuration when the upper end of the hand vacuum cleaner is positioned above the lower end of the hand vacuum cleaner and the suction motor may be positioned rearward of at least some of the energy storage members when the upper end of the hand vacuum cleaner is positioned above the lower end of the hand vacuum cleaner.

In some embodiments, the cyclone axis of rotation may intersect a volume defined by the generally upwardly extending configuration of energy storage members.

In some embodiments, the cyclone axis of rotation may extend generally in a forward/rearward direction.

In some embodiments, the at least one energy storage member may comprise a plurality of energy storage members wherein at least some of the plurality of energy storage members may be arranged one above another in a generally upwardly extending configuration when the upper end of the hand vacuum cleaner is positioned above the lower end of the hand vacuum cleaner and the suction motor may be positioned rearward of an upper end of the plurality of energy storage members when the upper end of the hand vacuum cleaner is positioned above the lower end of the hand vacuum cleaner.

In some embodiments, the cyclone axis of rotation may extend generally in a forward/rearward direction.

In some embodiments, the suction motor may be positioned above the cyclone axis of rotation when the upper end of the hand vacuum cleaner is positioned above the lower end of the hand vacuum cleaner.

In some embodiments, the hand vacuum may further comprise a pre-motor filter positioned in the air flow path downstream of the cyclone chamber, the pre-motor filter comprising a generally cylindrical filter having a hollow interior wherein the suction motor has an inlet end that faces towards the hollow interior.

In some embodiments, the generally cylindrical filter may have an outer upstream surface and an inner downstream surface defining the hollow interior and the suction motor axis of rotation may intersect the hollow interior.

In some embodiments, the cyclone chamber may comprise a sidewall that extends generally parallel to the cyclone axis of rotation and the upstream surface of the pre-motor filter may extend generally parallel to the sidewall of the cyclone chamber.

In some embodiments, the pre-motor filter may at least partially overlie the cyclone chamber.

In some embodiments, the dirty air inlet may have a dirty air inlet axis that extends generally rearwardly and may be positioned above the cyclone chamber.

In some embodiments, the dirty air inlet axis may intersect a volume defined by a pre-motor filter housing.

In some embodiments, the dirty air inlet axis may intersect the suction motor.

In some embodiments, the hand vacuum may further comprise a pre-motor filter positioned in the air flow path downstream of the cyclone chamber, the pre-motor filter comprising a generally cylindrical filter having a hollow interior wherein the dirty air inlet has a dirty air inlet axis that extends generally rearwardly and intersects the hollow interior.

In some embodiments, the dirty air inlet axis may intersect the suction motor.

In accordance with another aspect of this disclosure, which may be used alone or in combination with any other aspect, a hand vacuum cleaner may have an energy storage member (e.g. a battery pack that includes one or more battery cells) that is inclined so that a portion of a dirt collection region may be located below a portion of the energy storage member. Providing at least some vertical overlap between an energy storage member and a dirt collection region may help provide a relatively larger dirt chamber capacity while helping to reduce the overall size of the hand vacuum. Also, as the energy storage members (e.g. one or more batteries) may typically be among the heavier individual components of the hand vacuum cleaner, such a configuration may help provide a compact overall design, while distributing the weight of the batteries to promote a desirable hand feel and/or perceived balance of the hand vacuum.

In accordance with this broad aspect, there is provided a hand vacuum cleaner having a front end, a rear end, an upper end, a lower end, and first and second laterally spaced apart sides, and comprising:

• • (a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet;
  • (b) a cyclone assembly positioned in the air flow path and having a cyclone assembly air inlet, a cyclone assembly air outlet, a dirt collection region, and a cyclone axis of rotation;
  • (c) a suction motor positioned in the air flow path upstream of the clean air outlet; and,
  • (d) a longitudinally extending battery pack wherein the battery pack extends upwardly and forwardly when the upper end of the hand vacuum cleaner is positioned above the lower end of the hand vacuum cleaner,
  • wherein a portion of the dirt collection region is located below a portion of the battery pack.

In some embodiments, the dirt collection region may have an upper portion and a lower portion when the upper end of the hand vacuum cleaner is positioned above the lower end of the hand vacuum cleaner and the lower portion of the dirt collection region may be positioned rearwardly of the upper portion of the dirt collection region.

In some embodiments, a rear wall of the dirt collection chamber may be at a first angle to a vertical axis.

In some embodiments, the battery pack may be located in a battery pack chamber, the battery pack chamber having a front wall that is at a second angle to a vertical axis.

In some embodiments, the first and second angles may be about the same.

In some embodiments, the battery pack may extend generally linearly.

In some embodiments, the battery pack may be removably receivable in the hand vacuum cleaner.

In some embodiments, the battery pack may be removably receivable in the hand vacuum cleaner, a rear wall of the dirt collection chamber may be at a first angle to a vertical axis and the battery pack may have a front wall that is at a second angle to a vertical axis, wherein the first and second angles may be about the same.

In some embodiments, the dirt collection region may be at a lower end of the hand vacuum cleaner and the battery pack may be slidably insertable into the lower end of the hand vacuum cleaner.

Also in accordance with this broad aspect, there is provided a hand vacuum cleaner having a front end, a rear end, an upper end, a lower end, and first and second laterally spaced apart sides, and comprising:

• • (a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet;
  • (b) a cyclone assembly positioned in the air flow path and having a cyclone assembly air inlet, a cyclone assembly air outlet, a dirt collection region, and a cyclone axis of rotation;
  • (c) a suction motor positioned in the air flow path upstream of the clean air outlet; and,
  • (d) a plurality of energy storage members arranged one above another in a generally upwardly extending configuration when the upper end of the hand vacuum cleaner is positioned above the lower end of the hand vacuum cleaner, the configuration having a forward side and a rearward side,
  • wherein a lower end of the forward side of the configuration of energy storage members is positioned rearward of an another portion of the forward side of the configuration when the upper end of the hand vacuum cleaner is positioned above the lower end of the hand vacuum cleaner, and,
  • wherein a portion of the dirt collection region is located below at least a portion of one of the energy storage members.

In some embodiments, the dirt collection region may have an upper portion and a lower portion when the upper end of the hand vacuum cleaner is positioned above the lower end of the hand vacuum cleaner and the lower portion of the dirt collection region may be positioned rearwardly of the upper portion of the dirt collection region.

In some embodiments, a rear wall of the dirt collection chamber may be at a first angle to a vertical axis.

In some embodiments, the energy storage members may be located in an energy storage member chamber, and the energy storage member chamber may have a front wall that is at a second angle to a vertical axis.

In some embodiments, the first and second angles may be about the same.

In some embodiments, the configuration of energy storage members may extend generally linearly.

In some embodiments, the energy storage members may be removably receivable in the hand vacuum cleaner.

In some embodiments, the energy storage members may be removably receivable in the hand vacuum cleaner, a rear wall of the dirt collection chamber may be at a first angle to a vertical axis and the configuration of energy storage members may have a front side that is at a second angle to a vertical axis, wherein the first and second angles may be about the same.

In some embodiments, the dirt collection region may be at a lower end of the hand vacuum cleaner and the energy storage members may be slidably insertable into the lower end of the hand vacuum cleaner.

Also in accordance with this broad aspect, there is provided a hand vacuum cleaner having a front end, a rear end, an upper end, a lower end, and first and second laterally spaced apart sides, and comprising:

• • (a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet;
  • (b) a cyclone assembly positioned in the air flow path and having a cyclone assembly air inlet, a cyclone assembly air outlet, a dirt collection region, and a cyclone axis of rotation;
  • (c) a suction motor positioned in the air flow path upstream of the clean air outlet; and,
  • (d) a power pack that extends upwardly and forwardly when the upper end of the hand vacuum cleaner is positioned above the lower end of the hand vacuum cleaner,
  • wherein the dirt collection region has a rear wall that extends upwardly and forwardly when the upper end of the hand vacuum cleaner is positioned above the lower end of the hand vacuum cleaner whereby at least a portion of the dirt collection region is below at least a portion of the power pack.

In some embodiments, the dirt collection region may be at a lower end of the hand vacuum cleaner and the rear wall of the dirt collection chamber may be located proximate a front side of the power pack.

In accordance with another aspect of this disclosure, which may be used alone or in combination with any other aspect, a hand vacuum cleaner may have an energy storage member (e.g. a battery pack that includes one or more battery cells) that is positioned rearward of a dirt collection region and at least partially underlies at least a portion of one or both of a cyclone chamber and a pre-motor filter. Providing at least some vertical overlap between an energy storage member and a cyclone chamber and/or a pre-motor filter may help to reduce the overall size (length front to back) of the hand vacuum and may therefore reduce the torque exerted on the hand of a user as the moment arm between the front of the hand vacuum cleaner and the handle may be reduced. Also, as the energy storage member (e.g. one or more batteries) may typically be among the heavier individual components of the hand vacuum cleaner, such a configuration may help provide a compact overall design without adversely affecting the hand feel and/or perceived balance of the hand vacuum.

In accordance with this broad aspect, there is provided hand vacuum cleaner having a front end, a rear end, an upper end, a lower end, and first and second laterally spaced apart sides, and comprising:

• • (a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet;
  • (b) a cyclone assembly positioned in the air flow path and having a cyclone assembly air inlet, a cyclone assembly air outlet, a cyclone chamber, a dirt collection region, and a cyclone axis of rotation;
  • (c) a pre-motor filter downstream of the cyclone chamber;
  • (d) a suction motor positioned in the air flow path upstream of the clean air outlet; and,
  • (e) a battery pack wherein at least a portion of the battery pack is positioned rearward of the dirt collection region and at least a portion of the battery pack underlies at least a portion of one or both of the cyclone chamber and the pre-motor filter.

In some embodiments, the cyclone axis of rotation may extend generally in a forward/rearward direction.

In some embodiments, at least a portion of, or substantially all of or the entire battery pack may underlie at least a portion of the cyclone chamber, substantially all of the cyclone chamber or the entire cyclone chamber.

In some embodiments, at least a portion of, or substantially all of or the entire battery pack may underlie at least a portion of the pre-motor filter, substantially all of the pre-motor filter or the entire pre-motor filter.

In some embodiments, the battery pack may comprise at least a plurality of energy storage members wherein the energy storage members may be arranged in at least two columns in the forward/rearward direction.

In some embodiments, the dirt collection region may be at a lower end of the hand vacuum cleaner and the battery pack may be slidably insertable into the lower end of the hand vacuum cleaner.

In some embodiments, the hand vacuum may further comprise a handle and a finger gap positioned between the handle and the battery pack.

Also in accordance with this broad aspect, there is provided a hand vacuum cleaner having a front end, a rear end, an upper end, a lower end, and first and second laterally spaced apart sides, and comprising:

• • (a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet;
  • (b) a cyclone assembly positioned in the air flow path and having a cyclone assembly air inlet, a cyclone assembly air outlet, a cyclone chamber, a dirt collection region, and a cyclone axis of rotation;
  • (c) a pre-motor filter downstream of the cyclone chamber;
  • (d) a suction motor positioned in the air flow path upstream of the clean air outlet; and,
  • (e) a plurality of energy storage members provided in a lower portion of the hand vacuum cleaner, wherein some of the energy storage members are arranged one above another and some are arranged one behind another and wherein at least some of the energy storage members underlie at least a portion of one or both of the cyclone chamber and the pre-motor filter.

In some embodiments, at least a portion of the energy storage members may be positioned rearward of the dirt collection region.

In some embodiments, the cyclone axis of rotation may extend generally in a forward/rearward direction.

In some embodiments, the at least a portion of, or substantially all of or all of the energy storage members may underlie at least a portion of the cyclone chamber, substantially all of the cyclone chamber or the entire cyclone chamber

In some embodiments, the at least a portion of, or substantially all of or all of the energy storage members may underlie at least a portion of the pre-motor filter, substantially all of the pre-motor filter or the entire pre-motor filter.

In some embodiments, the dirt collection region is at a lower end of the hand vacuum cleaner and the energy storage members are slidably insertable into the lower end of the hand vacuum cleaner.

In some embodiments, at least a portion of the energy storage members may be positioned rearward of the dirt collection region.

In some embodiments, the hand vacuum may further comprise a handle and a finger gap positioned between the handle and the energy storage members.

In accordance with another aspect of this disclosure, which may be used alone or in combination with any other aspect, a hand vacuum cleaner may have a cyclone chamber with a cyclone axis of rotation that extends in a forward/rearward direction, and a suction motor with a suction motor axis that also extends in a forward/rearward direction, where the suction motor is located at an upper end of a handle of the vacuum cleaner and the suction motor axis is vertically displaced from the cyclone axis of rotation. Such a configuration may have one or more advantages. For example, it may facilitate the reduction of conduit bends and/or air flow direction changes between a dirty air inlet and a clean air outlet, thereby reducing backpressure and/or air flow losses through this portion of the hand vacuum cleaner due to a reduction in the number of bends in the air flow path. Additionally, or alternatively, such a configuration may help provide a compact overall design of the hand vacuum cleaner without adversely affecting the hand feel and/or perceived balance of the hand vacuum.

In accordance with this broad aspect, there is provided a hand vacuum cleaner having a front end, a rear end, an upper end, a lower end, and first and second laterally spaced apart sides, and comprising:

• • (a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet;
  • (b) a handle having a hand grip portion that extends upwardly and forwardly when the upper end of the hand vacuum cleaner is positioned above the lower end of the hand vacuum cleaner, the handle being positioned at the rear end of the hand vacuum cleaner;
  • (c) a cyclone chamber positioned in the air flow path and having a cyclone air inlet, a cyclone air outlet, and a cyclone axis of rotation that extends in a forward/rearward direction;
  • (d) a pre-motor filter positioned downstream of the cyclone chamber and upstream of the suction motor; and,
  • (e) a suction motor positioned in the air flow path upstream of the clean air outlet, wherein the suction motor has a suction motor axis of rotation that extends in a forward/rearward direction, wherein the suction motor is located at an upper end of the handle, and wherein the suction motor axis of rotation is vertically displaced from the cyclone axis of rotation when the upper end of the hand vacuum cleaner is positioned above the lower end of the hand vacuum cleaner.

In some embodiments, the suction motor may be located at an upper end of the hand grip portion.

In some embodiments, the cyclone axis of rotation may intersect the hand grip portion.

In some embodiments, the suction motor may be located rearward of the cyclone chamber.

In some embodiments, the suction motor may have an inlet that faces towards the pre-motor filter.

In some embodiments, the suction motor axis of rotation may intersect a volume defined by a pre-motor filter housing.

In some embodiments, the suction motor axis of rotation may extend through a central portion of a volume containing the pre-motor filter.

In some embodiments, the pre-motor filter may be positioned above the cyclone axis of rotation when the upper end of the hand vacuum cleaner is positioned above the lower end of the hand vacuum cleaner.

In some embodiments, the pre-motor filter may be positioned above the cyclone chamber when the upper end of the hand vacuum cleaner is positioned above the lower end of the hand vacuum cleaner.

In some embodiments, the cyclone axis of rotation may intersect the hand grip portion, the pre-motor filter may be positioned above the cyclone axis of rotation when the upper end of the hand vacuum cleaner is positioned above the lower end of the hand vacuum cleaner, and the suction motor axis of rotation may extend through a pre-motor filter housing.

In some embodiments, the pre-motor filter may comprise a generally cylindrical filter having a hollow interior wherein the suction motor axis of rotation intersects the hollow interior.

In some embodiments, after exiting a downstream side of the pre-motor filter, air travels generally linearly to the suction motor.

In some embodiments, the pre-motor filter may comprise a generally cylindrical filter having a hollow interior wherein the dirty air inlet has a dirty air inlet axis that extends generally rearwardly and intersects the hollow interior.

In some embodiments, the dirty air inlet axis may intersect the suction motor.

In some embodiments, the cyclone axis of rotation may intersect the hand grip portion.

In some embodiments, the hand vacuum may further comprise a plurality of energy storage members wherein at least some of the plurality of energy storage members are arranged one above another in a generally upwardly extending configuration when the upper end of the hand vacuum cleaner is positioned above the lower end of the hand vacuum cleaner, and the suction motor may be positioned rearward of at least some of the energy storage members when the upper end of the hand vacuum cleaner is positioned above the lower end of the hand vacuum cleaner.

In accordance with another aspect of this disclosure, which may be used alone or in combination with any other aspect, a surface cleaning apparatus may have a removable pre-motor filter assembly having an outlet conduit wherein a terminal end of the outlet conduit extends at a first angle to a direction of air flow through the outlet conduit. An advantage of this design is that the terminal end of the outlet conduit may be positioned substantially flush against another air conduit having a similarly angled terminal end without requiring lateral movement of the outlet conduit towards other conduit. Accordingly, a filter assembly may be removed and inserted by moving the filter assembly substantially perpendicular to the direction of airflow exiting the filter assembly. Such an arrangement may, for example, facilitate the use of a gasket or other sealing member between the ends of the conduits to provide an improved seal between the conduits. Such an arrangement may also eliminate the need for a biasing or other retaining mechanism to exert a force on the filter assembly to maintain a seal between the conduits.

In accordance with this broad aspect, there is provided a surface cleaning apparatus comprising:

• • (a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet;
  • (b) an air treatment member positioned in the air flow path; and
  • (c) a removable pre-motor filter assembly positioned downstream of the air treatment member and upstream of a suction motor, the pre-motor filter assembly comprising a pre-motor filter and a filter support member, the filter support member having an outlet conduit wherein a terminal end of the outlet conduit extends at a first angle to a direction of air flow through the outlet conduit.

In some embodiments, the pre-motor filter may comprise a generally cylindrical filter having a hollow interior positioned about a body portion of the filter support member having an internal filter conduit, wherein the outlet conduit is in air flow communication with the hollow interior via the internal filter conduit.

In some embodiments, the outlet conduit may be aligned with the hollow interior.

In some embodiments, the body portion of the filter support member may include a porous portion located in the hollow interior and positioned between a downstream surface of the pre-motor filter and the internal filter conduit.

In some embodiments, the hollow interior may comprise a longitudinally extending passage having an outlet end from which the outlet conduit extends away and an opposed end wherein the opposed end is sealed.

In some embodiments, the opposed end may be sealed by a sealing member that extends into the hollow interior, the sealing member having a solid wall extending inwardly and located between a downstream surface of the pre-motor filter and the passage.

In some embodiments, the filter support member may have a body portion having an internal filter conduit that may extend into a hollow interior of the pre-motor filter, the body portion may have a solid wall extending inwardly and located between a downstream surface of the pre-motor filter and the internal filter conduit.

In some embodiments, the body portion of the filter support member may include a porous portion located in the hollow interior and positioned between a downstream surface of the pre-motor filter and the internal filter conduit and is upstream of the outlet conduit.

In some embodiments, the internal filter conduit may comprise a longitudinally extending passage having an outlet end from which the outlet conduit extends away and a second end, wherein the second end is sealed.

In some embodiments, the second end may be sealed by a sealing member that extends into the hollow interior, the sealing member having a solid wall extending inwardly and located between a downstream surface of the pre-motor filter and the internal filter conduit.

In some embodiments, the sealing member and the body portion define a continuous member extending through the hollow interior.

In some embodiments, the surface cleaning apparatus may further comprise a treated air conduit extending from the outlet conduit towards the suction motor, wherein an inlet end of the treated air conduit may also extend at about the first angle to a direction of air flow through the outlet conduit.

In some embodiments, the surface cleaning apparatus may further comprise a treated air conduit extending from the outlet conduit towards the suction motor, wherein an inlet end of the treated air conduit may also extend at a second angle to a direction of air flow through the outlet conduit and the terminal end of the outlet conduit may abut the inlet end of the treated air conduit when the filter assembly is positioned in the air flow path.

In some embodiments, the first and second angles may be about the same.

In some embodiments, the surface cleaning apparatus may further comprise a gasket provided at an interface of the terminal end of the outlet conduit and the inlet end of the treated air conduit.

In some embodiments, the filter assembly may be removable in a filter assembly removal direction that is at an angle to the direction of air flow through the outlet conduit.

In some embodiments, the filter assembly may be removable through an openable door and a side of the terminal end that is closest to the openable door may extend further in the direction of air flow though the outlet conduit than an opposed side of the terminal end that is further from the openable door.

In some embodiments, a side of the inlet end of the treated air conduit that is furthest from the openable door may extend further in the direction of air flow though the outlet conduit than an opposed side of the inlet end that is closest to the openable door.

It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that an apparatus or method disclosed herein may embody any one or more of the features contained herein and that the features may be used in any particular combination or sub-combination.

These and other aspects and features of various embodiments will be described in greater detail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the described embodiments and to show more clearly how they may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a hand vacuum cleaner in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the hand vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the hand vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the hand vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a front end view of the hand vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the hand vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 1, with a front door or lid in an open position;

FIG. 7 is a front end view of the hand vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 1, with a front door or lid in an open position;

FIG. 8 is a perspective sectional view of the hand vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 1, taken along line8-8 inFIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a perspective sectional view of the hand vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 1, taken along line9-9 inFIG. 5;

FIG. 10 is a cross-section view of the hand vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 1, taken along line9-9 inFIG. 5;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of the upper left portion ofFIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of the upper left portion ofFIG. 10, with a pre-motor filter assembly removed;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of the upper left portion ofFIG. 10, with a pre-motor filter assembly and an openable door removed;

FIG. 14 is a top perspective view of the upper front portion of the hand vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 1, with an openable door removed to expose a pre-motor filter assembly;

FIG. 15 is a top perspective view of the upper front portion of the hand vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 1, with a pre-motor filter assembly and an openable door removed;

FIG. 16 is a top plan view of the upper front portion of the hand vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 1, with a pre-motor filter assembly and an openable door removed;

FIG. 17 is a top perspective view of the upper portion of the hand vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 1, with a pre-motor filter assembly and an openable door removed;

FIG. 18 is a bottom perspective view of an openable door of a pre-motor filter chamber of the hand vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a removable pre-motor filter assembly of the hand vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 20 is an end perspective view from the outlet end of the removable pre-motor filter assembly of the hand vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a perspective section view of the removable pre-motor filter assembly of the hand vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 19, taken along line21-21 inFIG. 19;

FIG. 22 is a cross section view of the removable pre-motor filter assembly of the hand vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 19, taken along line21-21 inFIG. 19;

FIG. 23 is a bottom perspective view of the lower rear portion of the hand vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 24 is a bottom perspective view of the lower rear portion of the hand vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 1, with a post-motor filter and a post-motor filter support removed;

FIG. 25 is a rear perspective view of a post-motor filter support of the hand vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 26 is a front perspective view of the post-motor filter support ofFIG. 25;

FIG. 27 is a front perspective view of the post-motor filter support ofFIG. 26 and a post-motor filter;

FIG. 28 is a side view of the hand vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 1, with an energy storage member partially removed;

FIG. 29 is a bottom perspective view of the hand vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 1, with an energy storage member partially removed;

FIG. 30 is a side view of the hand vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 1, with an energy storage member removed;

FIG. 31 is a cross-section view of the hand vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 1, taken along line9-9 inFIG. 5, with an energy storage member removed;

FIG. 32 is a perspective view of an energy storage member of the hand vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 33 is a front perspective view of the energy storage member ofFIG. 32;

FIG. 34 is a cross-section view of the energy storage member ofFIG. 32, taken along line34-34 inFIG. 32;

FIG. 35 is a perspective view of a hand vacuum cleaner in accordance with another embodiment;

FIG. 36 is a cross-section view of the hand vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 35, taken along line36-36 inFIG. 35;

FIG. 37 is a cross-section view of the hand vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 35, taken along line36-36 inFIG. 35, with an energy storage member partially removed;

FIG. 38 is a perspective section view of the hand vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 35, taken along line36-36 inFIG. 35, with a post-motor filter removed;

FIG. 39 is a perspective view of a hand vacuum cleaner in accordance with another embodiment;

FIG. 40 is a cross-section view of the hand vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 39, taken along line40-40 inFIG. 39;

FIG. 41 is a perspective section view of the hand vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 39, taken along line40-40 inFIG. 39, with a post-motor filter removed;

FIG. 42 is a perspective view of a hand vacuum cleaner in accordance with another embodiment;

FIG. 43 is a cross-section view of the hand vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 42, taken along line43-43 inFIG. 42;

FIG. 44 is a perspective section view of the hand vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 42, taken along line43-43 inFIG. 42;

FIG. 45 is a perspective section view of the hand vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 42, taken along line43-43 inFIG. 42, with an energy storage member removed;

FIG. 46 is a perspective view of a hand vacuum cleaner in accordance with another embodiment;

FIG. 47 is a cross-section view of the hand vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 46, taken along line47-47 inFIG. 46;

FIG. 48 is a perspective section view of the hand vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 46, taken along line47-47 inFIG. 46;

FIG. 49 is a perspective section view of the hand vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 46, taken along line47-47 inFIG. 46, with an energy storage member removed; and

FIG. 50 is a perspective view of the hand vacuum cleaner ofFIG. 46, with a front door or lid in an open position;

The drawings included herewith are for illustrating various examples of articles, methods, and apparatuses of the teaching of the present specification and are not intended to limit the scope of what is taught in any way.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Various apparatuses, methods and compositions are described below to provide an example of an embodiment of each claimed invention. No embodiment described below limits any claimed invention and any claimed invention may cover apparatuses and methods that differ from those described below. The claimed inventions are not limited to apparatuses, methods and compositions having all of the features of any one apparatus, method or composition described below or to features common to multiple or all of the apparatuses, methods or compositions described below. It is possible that an apparatus, method or composition described below is not an embodiment of any claimed invention. Any invention disclosed in an apparatus, method or composition described below that is not claimed in this document may be the subject matter of another protective instrument, for example, a continuing patent application, and the applicant(s), inventor(s) and/or owner(s) do not intend to abandon, disclaim, or dedicate to the public any such invention by its disclosure in this document.

The terms “an embodiment,” “embodiment,” “embodiments,” “the embodiment,” “the embodiments,” “one or more embodiments,” “some embodiments,” and “one embodiment” mean “one or more (but not all) embodiments of the present invention(s),” unless expressly specified otherwise.

The terms “including,” “comprising” and variations thereof mean “including but not limited to,” unless expressly specified otherwise. A listing of items does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms “a,” “an” and “the” mean “one or more,” unless expressly specified otherwise.

As used herein and in the claims, two or more parts are said to be “coupled”, “connected”, “attached”, or “fastened” where the parts are joined or operate together either directly or indirectly (i.e., through one or more intermediate parts), so long as a link occurs. As used herein and in the claims, two or more parts are said to be “directly coupled”, “directly connected”, “directly attached”, or “directly fastened” where the parts are connected in physical contact with each other. None of the terms “coupled”, “connected”, “attached”, and “fastened” distinguish the manner in which two or more parts are joined together.

Furthermore, it will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. In addition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the example embodiments described herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the example embodiments described herein may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the example embodiments described herein. Also, the description is not to be considered as limiting the scope of the example embodiments described herein.

General Description of a Hand Vacuum Cleaner

Referring toFIGS. 1 to 34, an exemplary embodiment of a surface cleaning apparatus is shown generally as1000. The following is a general discussion of this embodiment which provides a basis for understanding several of the features which are discussed herein. As discussed subsequently, each of the features may be used individually or in any particular combination or sub-combination in this or in other embodiments disclosed herein.

In the illustrated embodiment, the surface cleaning apparatus is a hand vacuum cleaner, which may also be referred to also as a “handvac” or “hand-held vacuum cleaner”. As used herein, a hand vacuum cleaner is a vacuum cleaner that can be operated to clean a surface generally one-handedly. That is, the entire weight of the vacuum may be held by the same one hand used to direct a dirty air inlet of the vacuum cleaner with respect to a surface to be cleaned. For example, the handle and a clean air inlet may be rigidly coupled to each other (directly or indirectly) so as to move as one while maintaining a constant orientation relative to each other. This is to be contrasted with canister and upright vacuum cleaners, whose weight is typically supported by a surface (e.g. a floor) during use.

As exemplified inFIGS. 1 to 7,surface cleaning apparatus1000 includes amain body1010 having ahousing1011 and ahandle1020, anair treatment member1100 connected to themain body1010, adirty air inlet1030, aclean air outlet1040, and an air flow path extending between the dirty air inlet and the clean air outlet.

Surface cleaning apparatus1000 has afront end1002, arear end1004, an upper end or top1006, and a lower end or bottom1008. In the embodiment shown,dirty air inlet1030 is at an upper portion of the front end1102 andclean air outlet1040 is at rearward portion of thelower end1008. It will be appreciated that thedirty air inlet1030 and theclean air outlet1040 may be provided in different locations.

A suction motor1200 (see e.g.FIG. 10) is provided to generate vacuum suction through the air flow path, and is positioned within amotor housing1210. In the illustrated embodiment, the suction motor is positioned downstream from the air treatment member, although it may be positioned upstream of the air treatment member (e.g., a dirty air motor) in alternative embodiments.

Air treatment member1100 is configured to remove particles of dirt and other debris from the air flow and/or otherwise treat the air flow. In the illustrated example,air treatment member1100 includes a cyclone assembly having a single cyclonic cleaning stage with asingle cyclone chamber1110 and adirt collection region1122 external to the cyclone chamber. Thecyclone chamber1110 anddirt collection region1122 may be of any configuration suitable for separating dirt from an air stream and collecting the separated dirt, respectively.

Thecyclone chamber1110 may be oriented in any direction. For example, whensurface cleaning apparatus1000 is oriented with the upper end1106 above the lower end1108, e.g. positioned generally parallel to a horizontal surface, a central axis or axis ofrotation1115 of thecyclone chamber1110 may be oriented horizontally, as exemplified inFIG. 10. In alternative embodiments, the cyclone chamber may be oriented vertically, or at any angle between horizontal and vertical.

In alternative embodiments, the cyclone assembly may include two or more cyclonic cleaning stages arranged in series with each other. Each cyclonic cleaning stage may include one or more cyclone chambers (arranged in parallel or series with each other) and one or more dirt collection chambers, of any suitable configuration. The dirt collection chamber or chambers may be external to the cyclone chambers, or may be internal the cyclone chamber and configured as a dirt collection area or region within the cyclone chamber. For example, in the embodiments exemplified inFIGS. 42 to 45 and 46 to 50, a second cyclonic cleaning stage is provided in series in what may be characterized as a ‘nested’ configuration. As exemplified inFIG. 43, after traveling generally axially though thecyclone chamber1110 from thefront end wall1160 toward therear end wall1170, air exitscyclone chamber1110 and enters a secondary cyclone chamber. A secondarydirt collection chamber1121 is positioned exterior to the secondary cyclone chamber and is in communication with adirt outlet1141 to receive dirt and debris dis-entrained from a dirty air flow by the secondary cyclone chamber. In the embodiment exemplified inFIGS. 42 to 45, air exiting the secondary cyclone chamber travels generally rearwardly and enters apre-motor chamber1318 viaair inlet1234. In the embodiment exemplified inFIGS. 46 to 50, the secondary cyclone air outlet faces arear wall1236 of the upflow duct orconduit1230 that directs air upwardly towards apre-motor filter1320. Alternatively, the air treatment member need not include a cyclonic cleaning stage, and can incorporate a bag, a porous physical filter media (such as foam or felt), or other air treating means.

As exemplified inFIG. 10,hand vacuum cleaner1000 may include apre-motor filter housing1310 provided in the air flow path downstream of theair treatment member1100 and upstream of thesuction motor1200.Pre-motor filter housing1310 may be of any suitable construction, including any of those exemplified herein. Apre-motor filter1320 is positioned within thepre-motor filter housing1310.Pre-motor filter1320 may be formed from any suitable physical, porous filter media and having any suitable shape, including the examples disclosed herein with respect to a removable pre-motor filter assembly. For example, the pre-motor filter may be one or more of a foam filter, felt filter, HEPA filter, other physical filter media, electrostatic filter, and the like.

Optionally, thepre-motor filter housing1310 may be openable (as described herein), and at least a portion of the sidewall1316 (e.g. removable or otherwise openable door1330) and/or one of theend walls1312 or1314 may be removable, openable, or otherwise re-configurable to provide access to the interior of thepre-motor filter housing1310.

Positioning thepre-motor filter housing1310 toward the top1006 of themain body1010 may help facilitate access to thepre-motor filter1320 while the hand vacuum is resting on its base. For example, if thehand vacuum cleaner1000 is rested upon a table or other such surface, anopenable door1330 of thepre-motor filter housing1310 is provided at the upper end of the housing and is accessible to a user. A user could then open thepre-motor filter housing1310 by removing or otherwise openingdoor1330 while thehand vacuum1000 rests on the table, to inspect or replace thepre-motor filter1320, without having to use one hand to grasp thehandle1020 or otherwise support the hand vacuum.

As exemplified,hand vacuum cleaner1000 may also include apost-motor filter1420 provided in the air flow path downstream of thesuction motor1200 and upstream of theclean air outlet1040.Post-motor filter1420 may be formed from any suitable physical, porous filter media and having any suitable shape, including the examples disclosed herein. In alternative embodiments, the post-motor filter may be any suitable type of filter such as one or more of a foam filter, felt filter, HEPA filter, other physical filter media, electrostatic filter, and the like.

In the illustrated embodiment, thedirty air inlet1030 of thehand vacuum cleaner1000 is theinlet end1032 of aninlet conduit1036. Optionally,inlet end1032 of theconduit1036 can be used as a nozzle to directly clean a surface. Theair inlet conduit1036 is, in this example, a generally linear hollow member that extends along aninlet conduit axis1035 that is oriented in a longitudinal forward/backward direction and is generally horizontal whenhand vacuum cleaner1000 is oriented with theupper end1006 above thelower end1008. Alternatively, or in addition to functioning as a nozzle,inlet conduit1036 may be connected or directly connected to the downstream end of any suitable accessory tool such as a rigid air flow conduit (e.g., an above floor cleaning wand), a crevice tool, a mini brush, and the like. As shown,dirty air inlet1030 is positioned forward of theair treatment member1100, although this need not be the case. As exemplified, thedirty air inlet1030 is positioned above the cyclone chamber. Optionally, thedirty air inlet1030 may be provided at an alternate location, such as in thefront end wall1160.

As exemplified inFIGS. 1, 2, 5, 6, and 7, an optionalaccessory power coupler1050 may be provided adjacent to theinlet conduit1036.Accessory power coupler1050 includes a set ofelectrical connectors1056 that can inter-engage with compatible electrical connectors on an accessory tool in order to provide an electrical connection between e.g. a power source of the hand vacuum and a motor or other electrical device of an accessory tool (e.g. a powered brush roller, a light source, and the like). While the illustratedaccessory power coupler1050 is a male connector (i.e. projecting outwardly from themain body1010 of the hand vacuum cleaner1000), in alternative embodiments it may be a female connector (i.e. recessed inwardly) or any other shape suitable for cooperatively engaging with corresponding connectors on an accessory tool or other attachment. As exemplified, theaccessory power coupler1050 may be positioned laterally to one side of theinlet conduit1036. In other examples, theaccessory power coupler1050 may be located above or below theinlet conduit1036.

As exemplified, power may be supplied to the suction motor and other electrical components of the hand vacuum cleaner from an onboard energy storage member which may include, for example, one or more batteries or other energy storage device. In the illustrated embodiment, thehand vacuum cleaner1000 includes aremovable battery pack1500 provided between thehandle1020 and theair treatment member1100.Battery pack1500 is described in further detail herein. In alternative embodiments, a battery pack may not be provided and power may be supplied to the hand vacuum cleaner by an electrical cord connected to the hand vacuum cleaner (not shown) that can be connected to a standard wall electrical outlet.

Optionally, a forward surface of thehandle1020 and a rearward surface of thebattery pack1500 may cooperatively define afinger gap1028 therebetween (see e.g.FIG. 10). An advantage of this design is that the absence of an intervening portion ofmain housing1010 between the handle and the energy storage member may facilitate a more compact overall size ofhand vacuum1000.

As exemplified, apower switch1060 may be provided to selectively control the operation of the suction motor (e.g. either on/off or variable power levels or both), for example by establishing a power connection between the batteries and the suction motor. The power switch may be provided in any suitable configuration and location, including a button, rotary switch, sliding switch, trigger-type actuator and the like. As illustrated inFIG. 4,power switch1060 is in the form of a button located toward upper end of therear end1004 of the hand vacuum cleaner, above ahand grip portion1026 of thehandle1020. In this position, a user may be able to access thebutton1060 while holding the hand vacuum via the hand grip, e.g. with the thumb of the hand holding the handle, and/or with a digit of their other hand.

The power switch or an alternate controller may also be configured to control other aspects of the hand vacuum (brush motor on/off, etc.). Optionally, instead of being provided at an upper end of the handle, the power switch may be provided on the main body (such as on the motor housing or other suitable location).

As exemplified inFIG. 4, an optionalinformation display device1070 may be provided to display one or more visual indications to a user. For example, thedisplay device1070 may provide a visual indication of: when suction motor is on; the current power level of the suction motor (if applicable); the current battery charge level; an estimated time until the battery charge will be depleted, and/or similar information. Thedisplay device1070 may include one or more light sources (e.g. light emitting diodes (LEDs)), display screens (e.g. a liquid crystal, an LED screen, an organic light emitting diode (OLED) screen, and the like. The screen, and associated electronics, may be used to display status information of one or more electrical components of the hand vacuum cleaner.

In the illustrated embodiment, the information display device is in the form of adisplay screen1070 that is provided at theupper end1022 of thehandle1020. Afirst display portion1072 is configured to display an indication of whether the hand vacuum cleaner is in a floor cleaning mode or in a carpet cleaning mode (e.g. where power is being supplied to a brush roller of an accessory tool via electrical connectors1056), and a second portion1074 is configured to display an indication of a power mode of the suction motor (e.g. a regular power mode, a higher power mode, and/or a higher power ‘burst’ mode).

Air Flow Path Through a Hand Vacuum Cleaner

The following is a description of different features of an air flow path through a hand vacuum cleaner. These features may be used by themselves in any surface cleaning apparatus or in any combination or sub-combination with any other feature or features described herein. For example, any of the airflow configurations described herein may be used with any of the pre-motor filter assemblies, relative positioning of the suction motor and energy storage members, inclined battery packs, battery pack configurations, airflow cooling configurations, and other features described herein.

As exemplified, theair treatment member1100 of thehand vacuum cleaner1000 may optionally be a single cyclonic cleaning stage with unidirectional air flow or a ‘uniflow’ cyclone chamber1110 (i.e. where the cyclone air inlet and cyclone air outlet are at opposite ends of the cyclone chamber). Referring primarily toFIGS. 9 and 10,hand vacuum cleaner1000 includes a single cyclonic cleaning stage with acyclone chamber1110 that has acyclone air inlet1120 in fluid communication with theinlet conduit1036, acyclone air outlet1130, and adirt outlet1140 that is in communication with adirt collection chamber1122.

Optionally, thecyclone chamber1110 may be generally horizontally oriented so that thecyclone air inlet1120 is located toward thefront end1002 of thehand vacuum cleaner1000, and thecyclone air outlet1130 is spaced rearwardly behind thecyclone air inlet1120, at arear end1114 of thecyclone chamber1110. From thecyclone air outlet1130, an upflow duct orconduit1230 directs the airflow upwards to apre-motor filter chamber1310 that is vertically spaced from thecyclone chamber1110. After passing through thepre-motor filter1320, air may travel generally rearwardly from thepre-motor filter1320 to aninlet end1202 of thesuction motor1200. An advantage of this arrangement is that, by promoting air to travel in this manner, the need for air flow direction changes between an air outlet of the pre-motor filter and the suction motor may be reduced or eliminated, thereby reducing backpressure and/or air flow losses through this portion of the hand vacuum cleaner. An additional, or alternative, advantage of providing apre-motor filter chamber1310 that is vertically spaced from thecyclone chamber1110 is that the need for air flow direction changes between a cyclone air outlet and the suction motor may be reduced, thereby reducing backpressure and/or air flow losses through this portion of the hand vacuum cleaner. For example, any airflow in a forward direction may take place within the pre-motor filter chamber orheader1310, as opposed to taking place in a (typically narrower) conduit that directs airflow in a direction opposite to the airflow through the dirty air inlet. An additional, or alternative, advantage of providing apre-motor filter chamber1310 that is vertically spaced from thecyclone chamber1110, and optionally above thecyclone chamber1110, is that the length (front to back) of the hand vacuum cleaner may be reduced, providing a more compact configuration.

FIGS. 1 to 34 exemplify one embodiment of ahand vacuum cleaner1000 having a cyclone unit that includes auniflow cyclone chamber1110 and adirt collection chamber1122 that is positioned exterior to thecyclone chamber1110 and is in communication with thedirt outlet1140 to receive dirt and debris dis-entrained from a dirty air flow by thecyclone chamber1110. In the illustrated example, thecyclone air inlet1120 anddirt outlet1140 are positioned toward opposing ends of thecyclone chamber1110, and thecyclone air outlet1130 is provided toward the same end as the dirt outlet1140 (the rear end as illustrated). In this configuration, dirty air can enter at the front end of the cyclone chamber, while cleaner air and the separated dirt particles both exit the cyclone chamber at the opposing rear end.

In this embodiment, thecyclone chamber1110 has afront end wall1160 and an opposingrear end wall1170 that is spaced apart from the front end wall along thecyclone axis1115 about which air circulates within thecyclone chamber1110 during operation of the hand vacuum cleaner. Acyclone chamber sidewall1180 extends between the front andrear end walls1160,1170. In the illustrated example, when the hand vacuum is oriented with the upper end above the lower end, thecyclone axis1115 is generally horizontal, and is closer to horizontal than vertical, e.g., ±20°, ±15°, ±10°, or ±5° from the horizontal. As exemplified, thecyclone axis1115 is substantially parallel to, e.g. within ±20°, ±15°, ±10°, or ±5°, and vertically offset below theconduit axis1035 of theair inlet conduit1036, and thecyclone chamber1110 anddirt collection chamber1122 are both below theinlet conduit axis1035. As illustrated inFIG. 10, when thehand vacuum1000 is horizontal (as illustrated), thepre-motor filter1320 is vertically spaced from (e.g. above) thecyclone axis1115, and thesuction motor1200 is positioned rearward of thepre-motor filter1320, so that air travels generally rearwardly from the pre-motor filter to the suction motor.

In this embodiment, thecyclone air inlet1120 is a tangential air inlet that, as exemplified, terminates at an aperture or port that is formed incyclone sidewall1180, optionally anupper portion1182 of thecyclone sidewall1180, adjacent thefront end wall1160. Optionally, thecyclone air inlet1120 may be provided at an alternate location, such as in thefront end wall1160.

Thecyclone air inlet1120 is fluidly connected with the outlet end of theconduit1036 via a corresponding air outlet aperture orport1038 that may be provided in a lower portion of theair inlet conduit1036. Thecyclone air inlet1120 may have any suitable arrangement and/or configuration, and in the illustrated example is configured as a tangential air inlet that is directly connected to theair outlet aperture1038. Connecting theair inlet1120 to theair outlet aperture1038 in this manner may help reduce the need for additional conduits to fluidly connect thedirty air inlet1030 to thecyclone chamber1110, and may reduce or eliminate the need for additional bends or air flow direction changes between thedirty air inlet1030 and thecyclone chamber1110. Reducing the conduit length and number of bends may help reduce the backpressure and air flow losses within the air flow path.

Positioning thecyclone air inlet1120 toward the front of thecyclone chamber1110 may help facilitate a desired air flow configuration within thecyclone chamber1110. For example, in this configuration thecyclone chamber1110 itself functions as part of the air flow path that conveys air rearwardly from thefront1002 of thehand vacuum1000, without the need for a separate fluid conduit.

In the illustrated example,cyclone air inlet1120 is directly adjacent thefront wall1160. Alternatively,cyclone air inlet1120 may be axially spaced from thefront end wall1160, and may be located at another location along the length of thecyclone chamber1110. Preferably,cyclone air inlet1120 is provided in the front half of the cyclone chamber1110 (i.e. forward of the axial mid-point of the cyclone chamber sidewall1080) in order to help reduce the distance between thedirty air inlet1030 and thecyclone air inlet1120.

As shown inFIG. 10, thecyclone air outlet1130 is provided in therear end wall1170 of thecyclone chamber1110, and an axially extendingvortex finder conduit1136 extends from therear end wall1170 and is aligned with thecyclone air outlet1130. Optionally, a mesh screen (not shown) may be positioned over some or all of theinlet apertures1138 of thevortex finder conduit1136 to help inhibit lint, hair, and other such debris from entering thevortex finder conduit1136. Positioning theair outlet1130 toward the rear end (and optionally in the rear end wall1170) may help facilitate the desired air flow through thecyclone chamber1110, such that air, while swirling, travels generally axially though thecyclone chamber1110 from thefront end wall1160 toward therear end wall1170.

Positioning theair outlet1130 in therear end wall1170 of thecyclone chamber1110 may also help facilitate the air flow connection between thecyclone chamber1110 and other downstream components in the hand vacuum, such as thepre-motor filter housing1310 andsuction motor housing1210 described herein. In the illustrated embodiment theair outlet1130 is provided in therear end wall1170 and is connected to thepre-motor filter housing1310 through an upflow duct orconduit1230. This may help simplify the air flow path and construction of the hand vacuum. Alternatively, the air flow path may include one or more additional conduits connected downstream from the cyclone air outlet.

In this arrangement, air travelling through thehand vacuum1000 will travel generally rearwardly along the air inlet conduit1036 (i.e. parallel to theconduit axis1035 and then enter a tangential air inlet which essentially changes the direction of the air to travel generally downwardly through the cyclone air inlet1120 (i.e. generally orthogonal to the cyclone axis1115). The air can then circulate within thecyclone chamber1110, and travel generally rearwardly toward thecyclone air outlet1130, and ultimately exit thecyclone chamber1110 via thecyclone air outlet1130 while travelling through thevortex finder conduit1136 in a rearward direction (i.e. generally parallel to the cyclone axis1115). In this configuration, the air flow changes direction only once (and by only approximately 90° which may be accomplished by a tangential air inlet), between entering thedirty air inlet1030 and exiting thecyclone air outlet1130.

Thecyclone dirt outlet1140 may be of any suitable configuration, and in the illustrated embodiment is aslot1140 that is provided in the cyclonechamber side wall1180, toward therear end wall1170. Theslot1140 may extend around at least a portion of the perimeter of thecyclone side wall1180, and may have anysuitable length1186 in the axial direction (see e.g.FIG. 10). As exemplified, the slot may be provided only in a lower portion of the sidewall. Accordingly, whendirty air inlet1030 faces downwardly during use, dirt will exit into an upper end of an external dirt collection chamber. Positioning the dirt collection chamber below the cyclone chamber, and not surrounding the cyclone chamber, reduces the width of the hand vacuum. While shown directly adjacent therear end wall1170, such that theslot1140 is partially bounded by thecyclone side wall1180 and therear end wall1170, theslot1140 may be located at another location along the length of thecyclone side wall1180, and need not be directly adjacent therear end wall1170. Alternatively, thedirt outlet1140 may be provided toward the mid-point of thecyclone chamber sidewall1180, or may be provided toward thefront end wall1160. While illustrated with asingle dirt outlet1140, thecyclone chamber1110 may include two or more dirt outlets that are in communication with the same dirt collection chamber, or optionally with different dirt collection chambers.

Preferably, at least a portion of the air treatment member may be openable for emptying. For example, at least one end, and optionally both ends of thedirt collection chamber1122 may be openable for emptying. Optionally, at least one end, and optionally both ends of thecyclone chamber1110 may also be openable for emptying.

Referring primarily toFIGS. 9 and 10, thefront end wall1160 of thecyclone chamber1110 and thefront end wall1126 of thedirt collection chamber1122 are both provided by portions of an openablefront door1190 that covers the front end of the cyclone assembly. In this arrangement, opening thefront door1190 will concurrently open thefront end walls1160 and1126 of the cyclone anddirt collection chambers1110,1122. In the illustrated example, a user may hold thehand vacuum1000 via thehandle1020 with one hand and open thefront door1190 with the other hand. Thefront end wall1160 of thecyclone chamber1110 and thefront end wall1126 of thedirt collection chamber1122 may be concurrently openable and may cover all of a substantial portion of the front end of the cyclone chamber and the dirt collection chamber. For example, thefront end wall1160 of thecyclone chamber1110 and thefront end wall1126 of thedirt collection chamber1122 may be a one piece assembly (i.e. they may be integrally formed).

Thefront door1190 may be openably connected (e.g., pivotally openable or removably mounted) to the rest of the cyclone assembly using any suitable mechanism, including a hinge or other suitable device. Optionally, thefront door1190 may be secured in the closed position using any suitable type of locking mechanism, including a latch mechanism that may be released by a user. In the embodiment ofFIGS. 1 to 34, thefront door1190 may be opened by pivoting it about ahinge assembly1192 from a closed position (e.g. as shown inFIG. 1) to an open position (e.g. as shown inFIG. 6). Thefront door1190 may be secured in the closed position by a friction fit when connected as illustrated inFIG. 1, and/or by anassembly door lock1194 or other suitable locking mechanism. Preferably, the assembly door lock may include at least onerelease actuator1196 so that a user may unlock the assembly door lock, e.g. by depressing the actuator. The actuator for opening/releasing the openable portion of the cyclone assembly may be provided on thecyclone assembly1100 or on any other portion of the hand vacuum1000 (such as the handle1020).

In the embodiments described herein, the surface cleaning apparatus includes apre-motor filter housing1310 positioned in the air flow path between the cyclone chamber and the suction motor. It will be appreciated that in some embodiments, the pre-motor filter may be of any configuration and the direction of air flow through thepre-motor filter1320 may be any particular direction.

Referring primarily toFIGS. 9 and 10, as exemplified, in some embodiments, themain body1010 may be configured such that thesuction motor housing1210 is located rearward of thepre-motor filter housing1310 and, preferably, axially aligned with thepre-motor filter housing1310 such that air exiting the pre-motor filter may travel generally linearly to the suction motor. It will be appreciated thatsuction motor housing1210 andpre-motor filter housing1310 may be of any configuration

As exemplified herein, thepre-motor filter1320 may be configured as a generally cylindrical foam filter with a hollow, open interior and is preferably part of a removable pre-motor filter assembly, as discussed elsewhere herein. Thepre-motor filter1320, which may be a foam filter, extends longitudinally along afilter axis1325, which may be generally parallel with the suction motor axis of rotation and accordingly is exemplified as being generally horizontal in the illustrated embodiment. The interior, downstream surface offilter1320 is in communication with theair outlet1242 via anoutlet conduit1340 of the pre-motor filter assembly. An advantage of a cylindrical filter is that a relatively large upstream surface area may be provided in a small space. A further advantage of this configuration is that, if thesuction motor housing1210 is located rearward of, and generally axially aligned with, thepre-motor filter housing1310, air exiting the pre-motor filter may travel rearwardly through the hollow interior and then travel rearwardly to the suction motor.

In the illustrated example, thepre-motor filter housing1310 is positioned such that thepre-motor filter1320 is vertically spaced from and mostly, and optionally entirely, located above thecyclone axis1115 and also above the cyclone chamber. Put another way,pre-motor filter1320 mostly, and optionally entirely, overlies the cyclone chamber. In other embodiments, only a portion of the pre-motor filter may be above thecyclone axis1115 and optionally also above the cyclone chamber.

Referring toFIG. 10, in the illustrated example thepre-motor filter housing1310 has forward andrear end walls1312 and1314, and achamber sidewall1316 defining a pre-motor filter chamber orplenum1318. Optionally, the pre-motor filter is removable, such as proving a removable or otherwiseopenable door1330.Door1330 may extend between forward andrear end walls1312 and1314. Thehousing1310 also has anair inlet1234 that is connected downstream from thecyclone air outlet1130 via upflowduct1230, and anair outlet1242 positioned in the rear end wall1314. In the illustrated example, thehousing air inlet1234 is located toward the rear end of thehousing1310. To travel from theair inlet1234 to theair outlet1242, air passes through thepre-motor filter1320 positioned within thechamber1318.

As thepre-motor filter1320 is positioned above the cyclone air outlet, air travels upwardly to thepre-motor filter chamber1318. As exemplified herein, the pre-motor filter may be in the shape of a hollow cylinder which has a central axis that is generally parallel with the suction motor axis of rotation. An advantage of this configuration is that, after the air travels upwardly to thepre-motor filter chamber1318, in order to try to balance the forces in thepre-motor filter chamber1318, the air will tend to spread across the chamber. Therefore, without using a 90□ bend to direct the air to the front part of the pre-motor filter, a plenum is used to distribute the air across the upstream surface of the pre-motor filter. In accordance with this configuration, air travels to thefilter housing1310 in a generally upward direction, where it disperses in thepre-motor filter chamber1318 and circulates around and through the outer, upstream surface offilter1320, and exits thehousing air outlet1242 in a generally rearward direction into the suction motor housing inlet end1212.

In the illustrated example, thesuction motor1200 is generally horizontally oriented, such that the suction motor axis ofrotation1205 is generally horizontal (e.g., ±20°, ±15°, ±10°, or ±5° from horizontal) when the hand vacuum cleaner is positioned with the upper end above the lower end (as illustrated inFIG. 10). In this arrangement, thesuction motor axis1205 is generally parallel to thecyclone axis1115 and thepre-motor filter axis1325.

In the example configuration illustrated inFIG. 10, aninlet end1202 of thesuction motor1200 faces towards a hollow interior of the pre-motor filter. In such a configuration, air may travel generally linearly from thepre-motor filter1320 to thesuction motor1200. An absence of air flow direction changes between an air outlet of the pre-motor filter and the suction motor may reduce backpressure and/or air flow losses through this portion of the hand vacuum cleaner.

Also, positioning the suction motor at an upper end of a handle of the vacuum cleaner with the suction motor axis vertically displaced from the cyclone axis of rotation may facilitate the reduction of air flow conduit bends and/or air flow direction changes between a dirty air inlet and a clean air outlet, thereby reducing backpressure and/or air flow losses through the hand vacuum cleaner. Additionally, or alternatively, such a configuration may help provide a compact overall design of the hand vacuum cleaner without adversely affecting the hand feel and/or perceived balance of the hand vacuum.

It will be appreciated that the air may exit the hand vacuum cleaner via a grill located in an upper portion of the main body (e.g., via an air outlet provided in the rear end of the main body or a sidewall adjacent the rear end). Alternately, air may exit through a lower portion of the main body. This may be achieved by conveying the air downwardly through the handle of the hand vacuum cleaner. Accordingly, as exemplified, at least a portion of the air flow path between thedirty air inlet1030 and theclean air outlet1040 may flow through thehandle1020. This may help facilitate a variety of different air flow path configurations andclean air outlet1040 locations. This may also allow at least some of the air being exhausted by thesuction motor1200 to flow over, and optionally help cool, operating components that are located in the handle. Examples of such components may include controllers, circuit boards, other internal electronics and the like. One example of such electronics can include a printed circuit board (PCB) provided to control optionalinformation display device1070 and/orpower switch1060.

In the illustrated embodiment, a handleair flow passage1250 has aninlet end1252 that is located toward the top1022 of the handle downstream from thesuction motor1200, and anoutlet end1254 that is located toward thebottom1024 of the handle. This may help channel the air through substantially the entire length of thehand grip portion1026 of thehandle1020.

As exemplified, the air exhausted from thesuction motor1200 is routed through the handle, and theclean air outlet1040 is provided in the form of a plurality ofslots1430 that are formed in thelower end1024 of the handle. Air entering theinlet end1252 is directed through thehandle1020 and exits via theslots1430. In this example, the slots orgrill1430 are oriented such that air exiting theclear air outlet1040 travels generally downwardly and rearwardly from thelower end1024 of thehandle1020. It will be appreciated that the clean air outlet may be of any design and may be located anywhere in the lower portion of the hand vacuum cleaner.

Optionally, one or more post-motor filters may be placed in the air flow path between thesuction motor1200 and theclean air outlet1040. The post-motor filter may be provided at theclean air outlet1040. The post motor filter may be in an openable housing. For example, as exemplified, theclean air outlet1040 may be an openable grill. Further, the openable access panel may support the post-motor filter. For example, in the embodiment ofFIGS. 1 to 34, apost-motor filter1420 is supported by aremovable tray1410 that covers the lower end of the post-motor filter housing1400 and provides theclean air outlet1040 in the form of a grill. The illustratedpost-motor filter1420 is a physical foam media filter, but optionally the post-motor filters may be any suitable type of filter and may include one or more of foam filters, felt filters, HEPA filters, other physical filter media, electrostatic filters, and the like.

With references toFIGS. 23-27,removable tray1410 includes a pair of rigidengaging projections1440 provided on afront end1412, and a pair of movableengaging projections1450 extending upwardly from arear end1414 and resiliently biased towards the rear end. To separate the tray from themain body1010, actuating (e.g. depressing)button1460 results in forward movement of the movableengaging projections1450, resulting in their disengagement from correspondingrecesses1455 in the main body, allowing therearward end1414 oftray1410 to be pivoted downwardly fromhandle1020. Oncetray1410 has been so pivoted, it may be translated rearwardly to remove engagingprojections1440 from corresponding recesses1445 in the main body. To connect thetray1410 to themain body1010, the process may be generally reversed. That is,projections1440 may be inserted into recesses1445, andtray1410 subsequently pivoted upwardly until engagingprojections1450 are secured inrecesses1455. It will be appreciated that any other constructions may be used to removablysecure tray1410 in position on the main body.

While the figures exemplify positioning the pre-motor filter and suction motor vertically spaced above the cyclone axis, it will be appreciated that the pre-motor filter and suction motor vertically spaced below the cyclone axis.

Removable Pre-Motor Filter Assembly

The following is a description of different features of a removable pre-motor filter assembly for a surface cleaning apparatus. These features may be used by themselves in any surface cleaning apparatus or in any combination or sub-combination with any other feature or features described herein. For example, any of the pre-motor filter configurations described herein may be used with any of the air flow paths, relative positioning of the suction motor and energy storage members, inclined battery packs, battery pack configurations, airflow cooling configurations, and other features described herein.

In accordance with this feature, the outlet conduit of the filter assembly may be inclined at an angle to the removal direction of the pre-motor filter assembly with the upper (or outermost portion of the outlet conduit in the removal direction) extending further in the downstream direction than the lower (or innermost portion of the outlet conduit in the removal direction). The mating downstream conduit may be similarly oriented. An advantage of this configuration is that the downstream face of the pre-motor filter assembly (which may have a sealing gasket) may be placed on the upstream face of the downstream conduit (which may have a sealing gasket) instead of one face sliding across the other, which could damage one or both gaskets.

In accordance with this feature, as exemplified, thepre-motor filter1320 of thehand vacuum cleaner1000 is optionally part of a removablepre-motor filter assembly1300.FIGS. 19 to 22 exemplify one embodiment of a removablepre-motor filter assembly1300 that includes a generallycylindrical filter1320 supported by afilter support member1340.Filter support member1340 has anoutlet conduit1342 for directing an air flow after it has passed through thefilter1320. In use, air flows from an outer orupstream side1322 of thefilter1320, through the filter media and to an inner ordownstream side1324 of thefilter1320, and to theoutlet conduit1342.

Optionally, theoutlet conduit1342 generally faces aninlet end1202 ofsuction motor1200. Therefore, as exemplified, thefilter support member1340 may be generally horizontally oriented so that thepre-motor filter axis1325 extends in a generally forwards/rearwards direction (fromfront end1321 torear end1323 of the pre-motor filter assembly) when thehand vacuum cleaner1000 is oriented with the upper end above the lower end, and theoutlet conduit1342 faces generally rearwardly, and optionally directly faces aninlet end1202 ofsuction motor1200. From theoutlet conduit1342, a treatedair conduit1246 directs the airflow rearwards to aninlet end1202 ofsuction motor1200 that is horizontally spaced from thepre-motor filter1320.

As illustrated inFIGS. 19 to 22,filter support member1340 has amain body portion1350 that is located in a hollow interior of the generallycylindrical filter1320. In the illustrated embodiment, an outer surface ofmain body portion1350 is flush with a downstream orinner surface1324 offilter1320, and thedownstream surface1324 is in air flow communication with aninternal filter conduit1356. More specifically, in the illustrated example a plurality ofapertures1351 define a porous portion of thefilter support member1340 between afirst end1352 and asecond end1354 of themain body portion1350. It will be appreciated that more or fewer apertures may be provided in alternative embodiments. Accordingly, iffilter1320 is sealed to or seats securely onbody portion1350, air will be inhibited from travelling between the outer surface ofmain body portion1350 and theinner surface1324 offilter1320 to thereby bypass the filter media.

Theoutlet conduit1342 extends from thesecond end1354 of themain body portion1350. The second oropposed end1352 of themain body portion1350 may be sealed to or may seat securely on thesecond end1354 of themain body portion1350 to inhibit and preferably prevent air from exiting theinternal filter conduit1356 from the second end, so that substantially and preferably all of the air that exits thedownstream side1324 of thepre-motor filter1320 is directed throughoutlet conduit1342.

In order to inhibit or prevent air exiting through the front end of theinternal filter conduit1356, the front end of themain body portion1350 may be closed. As exemplified, anend wall1362 is provided to cap theopposed end1352 of themain body portion1350. Optionally,end wall1362 has an outwardly projectingportion1363 to facilitate positioning thepre-motor filter assembly1300 in a surface cleaning apparatus, as discussed further below.

Optionally, flanges or other sealing members may be provided at one or both ends of themain body portion1350 to inhibit or prevent airflow from flowing betweenpre-motor filter1320 and filtersupport member1340 and to theinternal filter conduit1356, e.g. effectively bypassing the pre-motor filter. In the illustrated example, acircumferential bypass flange1358 is provided at thesecond end1354 of themain body portion1350.

The pre-motor filter assembly may be seated in position in the pre-motor filter housing by any means known in the art. As exemplified, one or more alignment or seating members may be provided on one or both of the front andrear ends1321,1323 of the pre-motor filter assembly.

In the illustrated example, a pair ofalignment flanges1370 extend from an axially longer (outermost) side ofoutlet conduit1342.Flanges1370 may facilitate in the seating and/or alignment ofpre-motor filter assembly1300 within a pre-motor filter chamber. For example, in the illustrated example theflanges1370 may be configured to act as camming surfaces with one or more projections from an internal surface of theopenable door1330 of the pre-motor filter chamber. As shown inFIG. 18,openable door1330 has an inwardly extendingprojection1338 that has a width approximately equal to a radial distance betweenflanges1370. In this arrangement, asopenable door1330 is closed,projection1338 is configured to come into contact with bothflanges1370, thereby promoting a predetermined orientation ofpre-motor filter assembly1300 relative to thepre-motor filter housing1310 as well as locating the outlet conduit to be aligned with the downstream air flow conduit.

Additionally, or alternatively,flanges1370 may allow a user to grip and/or manipulatepre-motor filter assembly1300 without having to come into contact withpre-motor filter1320, which may become dirty during use.

Optionally, one or more support projections may be provided on one or both ends ofpre-motor filter assembly1300. In the illustrated example, a pair ofsupport flanges1372 extend from opposite lateral sides ofoutlet conduit1342.Flanges1372 may facilitate the support and/or alignment ofpre-motor filter assembly1300 within a pre-motor filter chamber. For example, in the illustrated example theflanges1372 may be configured to rest on corresponding support surfaces provided at the rearward end of the pre-motor filter chamber. As shown inFIGS. 15-17,surfaces1313 are formed inend wall1344 of thepre-motor filter chamber1310. Also, asurface1311 is formed in the opposingend wall1312. In this arrangement, aspre-motor filter assembly1300 is lowered into thepre-motor filter chamber1310,surfaces1313 are configured to come into contact with andsupport flanges1372, andsurface1311 is configured to come into contact with and support outwardly projectingportion1363 offilter support member1340, thereby promoting a predetermined vertical position and/or angle ofpre-motor filter assembly1300 relative to thepre-motor filter housing1310.

In the illustrated embodiment, filter support member1340 (includingoutlet conduit1342,main body portion1350, and end wall1362) is a one piece assembly (e.g. integrally formed). In alternative embodiments,filter support member1340 may be constructed from two or more parts.

While in the illustrated example thepre-motor filter1320 and thefilter support member1340 are co-axial, this may not be the case in alternative embodiments.

As illustrated inFIG. 22, a downstream orterminal end1344 of theoutlet conduit1342 is at anangle1357 to a direction of air flow through the outlet conduit (e.g. generally parallel to a centralpre-motor filter axis1325 and/or a central filter support member axis1355).Outlet conduit1342 mates withair conduit1246, which provides theair outlet1242 frompre-motor filter chamber1310. As discussed subsequently, the inlet end ofoutlet conduit1342 may be similarly angled.

An advantage of the terminal end of the outlet conduit being at an angle of to a direction through the outlet conduit is that the removable filter assembly may be positioned substantially flush against a downstream air conduit (e.g. a conduit that leads to a suction motor) having a similarly angled terminal end without requiring lateral movement of the outlet conduit towards other conduit. For example, the filter assembly may be moved in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of airflow (e.g., vertically upwardly in the orientation ofFIG. 11). Such an arrangement may, for example, facilitate the use of a gasket or other sealing member between the ends of the conduits to provide an improved seal between the conduits. For example, if the terminal end of the outlet conduit were perpendicular to a direction of airflow through the conduit, moving the filter assembly in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of airflow may shear or otherwise damage a flexible or otherwise deformable gasket (e.g. an elastomeric gasket or the like) provided at the end of the conduit to which the outlet conduit is to be aligned.

Alternatively, or additionally, such an arrangement may eliminate the need for a biasing or other retaining mechanism to exert a force on the filter assembly to maintain a seal between the conduits. For example, if the terminal end of the outlet conduit were perpendicular to a direction of airflow through the conduit, to avoid damaging a gasket or other sealing member between the conduit ends, at least the final motion to align the conduit ends may be in a direction parallel to a direction of airflow through the conduit. In such a situation, it may be necessary to maintain the application of an axial force to the pre-motor filter assembly in order to maintain an adequate seal.

As illustrated inFIGS. 11 to 17, aterminal end1241 of the treatedair conduit1246 may also be optionally provided at an angle1257 (seeFIG. 11) to a direction of air flow through the treatedair conduit1246 that leads to thesuction motor1200. In the illustrated example, theangle1257 is about the same as theangle1357 between the direction of air flow through theoutlet conduit1342 of the pre-motor filter assembly and theterminal end1344 of theoutlet conduit1342. This arrangement allows theoutlet conduit1342 and the treatedair conduit1246 to cooperatively define a generally linear air flow passage despite the angled terminal ends of the respective conduits.

Optionally, agasket1247 or other sealing member may be provided to help provide a substantially air tight seal between theterminal end1344 of theoutlet conduit1342 and theterminal end1241 of the treatedair conduit1246. In the illustrated example, thegasket1247 has a generally consistent axial length about its perimeter, e.g. to facilitate a seal between theends1344,1241 that are generally parallel to each other due toangles1357,1257 being about the same. Alternatively,gasket1247 may have a variable axial length about its perimeter, e.g. to facilitate a seal whereangles1357,1257 are different from each other (e.g. where ends1344,1241 are not parallel.

Another advantage of the terminal end of the outlet conduit and the inlet end ofconduit1246 being at an angle to a direction through the outlet conduit is that the outlet face of the pre-motor filter assembly may be placed onto the inlet or upstream face ofconduit1246 during insertion of the pre-motor filter assembly. Further, whendoor1330 is placed in the closed position, the engagement of inwardly extendingprojection1338 andflanges1370 may apply sufficient pressure to seal the end face and inhibit leakage out of the air flow conduits.

Another advantage of the terminal end of the outlet conduit being at an angle of to a direction through the outlet conduit is that the removable filter assembly may only be positionable within the surface cleaning apparatus in a single pre-determined orientation. In other words, a user may only be able to mount to the pre-motor filter assembly in a single orientation relative to the surface cleaning apparatus. This may prevent, for example, the pre-motor filter from being installed e.g. upside-down from its designed orientation, or otherwise mis-aligned. Accordingly, an asymmetric pre-motor filter media may be provided without the risk of a user improperly positioning the filter within a surface cleaning apparatus.

It will be appreciated that some of the embodiments disclosed herein may not use any of the features of the pre-motor filter assembly disclosed herein and that, in those embodiments, a pre-motor filter of any kind known in the art may be used, or a pre-motor filter may not be provided.

Inclined Battery Pack

The following is a description of different features of a hand vacuum cleaner with an inclined battery pack. These features may be used by themselves in any surface cleaning apparatus or in any combination or sub-combination with any other feature or features described herein. For example, any of the battery pack configurations described herein may be used with any of the air flow paths, pre-motor filter assemblies, relative positioning of the suction motor and energy storage members, battery pack configurations, airflow cooling configurations, and other features described herein.

In accordance with this feature, an upper end of the battery pack may be inclined in a forward direction. Accordingly, the lower end of the battery pack may extend further rearwardly. If the dirt collection region is located adjacent a forward face of the battery pack, then the dirt collection region may extend further rearwardly, thereby enabling a larger dirt collection region to be provided.

It will be appreciated that, in many embodiments, power may be supplied to thehand vacuum cleaner1000 by an electrical cord connected to the hand vacuum (not shown) that can be connected to a standard wall electrical outlet. In such embodiments, thesuction motor1200 and other electronics may run on AC power supplied from a wall socket. In accordance with this feature, alternatively, or in addition to being powered by an electrical cord, the hand vacuum cleaner may include one or more onboard power sources. The power sources may be any suitable device, including, for example one or more batteries. Optionally, the batteries and battery packs may be rechargeable or may be replaceable, non-rechargeable batteries.

Battery pack1500 may include any suitable number ofcells1510, and may include, for example, lithium ion battery cells. Any number of cells may be used to create a power source having a desired voltage and current, and any type of battery may be used, including NiMH, alkaline, and the like.Battery pack1500 may be of any known design and may be electrically connected to the hand vacuum cleaner by any means known in the art.

FIGS. 32 to 34 exemplify abattery pack1500. As exemplified,battery pack1500 has anupper end1506, alower end1508, afront face1502, and arear face1504. In the illustrated example,battery pack1500 is generally rectangular, but alternative embodiments may have any suitable shape.

In the illustrated examples,battery pack1500 has apower coupling1540 for supplying power (e.g. charging) thecells1510. Any suitable power coupling may be used, for example, a female coupling configured to receive a male coupling of an electrical cord that is connectable to a source of AC or DC power, such as a household power socket. Optionally,power coupling1540 is accessible when thebattery pack1500 is electrically connected to handvacuum cleaner1000. An advantage of such a configuration is that the battery pack may be charged without removing it from thehand vacuum cleaner1000. Another advantage is that it may allow for corded operation ofhand vacuum cleaner1000 when thepower cells1510 are substantially or completely discharged, as power may be supplied to the suction motor viapower coupling1540 instead of (or while) charging thecells1510.

Optionally, thebattery pack1500 may be removable from the rest of the hand vacuum using any mechanism known in the art. Referring toFIGS. 28 and 29, the illustratedexample battery pack1500 is configured to be removable by sliding the battery pack downward through an aperture1590 (seeFIG. 31) provided in thelower end1008 ofhand vacuum1000. Optionally, one or more guiding features may be provided on one or both of thehand vacuum1000 and thebattery pack1500. As illustrated inFIG. 33, a pair oflongitudinal ridges1520 is provided on thefront face1502 ofbattery pack1500.Ridges1520 are configured to be slidably received in correspondinggrooves1525 on an inner face of aperture1590 (seeFIG. 29).Ridges1520 andgrooves1525 thus cooperatively assist in aligning the battery pack as is it moved upwardly into and/or downwardly out ofaperture1590.

In the illustrated embodiment, theupper end1506 of thebattery pack1500 is provided with a plurality ofelectrical connectors1530 that can inter-engage with compatibleelectrical connectors1580 on the main body1010 (see e.g.FIG. 29). Engagement between theelectrical connectors1530 and1580 can provide an electrical connection between thebatteries1510 and thesuction motor1200, and optionally other electronics, such asdisplay device1070. In this arrangement, removing thebattery pack1500 interrupts the supply of power to thesuction motor1200, and thesuction motor1200 is not operable when thebattery pack1500 is detached. It will be appreciated thatelectrical connectors1530 may be located elsewhere on the battery pack.

Thebattery pack1500 can be secured to the rest of themain body1010 using any suitable attachment mechanism, including mechanical latches, retention catches, or any other mechanism attachment structure capable of being released to disengage and remove the battery pack. Optionally, one or more actuators for releasing the attachment mechanism may be provided on the main body1010 (and remain with the main body when the battery pack is removed), or alternatively may be provided on thebattery pack1500 such that the actuator is removable with the battery.

Referring toFIGS. 9 and 33, in the illustratedexample battery pack1500 is configured to be releasably secured tohand vacuum1000 using a single latch at thelower end1506. The latch can be released by pressing the release actuator that is provided in the form ofbutton1550. Pressing rearwardly on thebutton1550 results in a disengagement of atab1552 from acorresponding retaining surface1523 provided proximate to and facing towardsaperture1590. Thebutton1550 is mounted to thelower end1506 ofbattery pack1500, and is removable with the battery pack.

Alternatively, a release actuator may be provided on themain body1010 of the hand vacuum cleaner, and a corresponding retaining surface may be provided on thebattery pack1500. For example, in the example illustrated inFIG. 36, a retainingsurface1523 is provided on arear face1504 ofbattery pack1500, and is removable with the battery pack. A release actuator that is provided in the form ofbutton1550 is positioned on themain body1010 ofhand vacuum1000. Pressing forwardly on thebutton1550 results in a pivoting and disengagement of atab1552 from retainingsurface1523.

Optionally, thebattery pack1500 may be configured so that it can be connected to one or more other devices/apparatuses, in addition to thehand vacuum1000. For example, thesame battery pack1500 that is used with the hand vacuum could be connectable to another vacuum, power tool, cleaning device (such as a mop, steam cleaner, carpet extractor, etc.) or any other suitable device to power the other device(s) that the battery pack can be connected to.

Optionally, thebattery pack1500 may have one or more output devices to e.g. provide an indication of a status of the battery pack and/or of one or more of theindividual battery cells1510. For example, one or more visual indicators such as LEDs and/or an audio output device such as a speaker may be provided. In the example illustrated inFIG. 32, a number of LEDs1560 are provided along an edge between arear face1504 and a side face of thebattery pack1500. An advantage of positioning the output devices along an edge of the battery pack is that the indicators may be visible from a greater range of relative orientations than if they were positioned on a single face of the battery pack.

As illustrated inFIG. 4, another advantage of positioning the LEDs1560a-1560cproximate a side edge of arear face1504 is that they may be more readily visible to a user holding thehand vacuum cleaner1000 in front of them. Accordingly, a user may be able to see the LEDs1560a-1560cwhile using the hand vacuum without having to re-orient the hand vacuum cleaner from a typical in-use position.

As discussed above,battery pack1500 may include any suitable number ofindividual battery cells1510. In example illustrated inFIG. 34,battery pack1500 contains 7cells1510a-1510g. Eachcell1510 is generally cylindrical, and the cells are arranged in a generally linear configuration (in a column) along the height ofbattery pack1500. More specifically,cells1510ato1510fare arranged with their central longitudinal axes positioned along abattery pack axis1505 that in the illustrated example is parallel to afront wall1501 of thebattery pack1500, andcell1510gis positioned with its central longitudinal axis offset rearwardly fromaxis1505.

As shown inFIG. 10, in the illustratedexample battery pack1500 extends upwardly and forwardly when the upper end of the hand vacuum cleaner is positioned above the lower end of the hand vacuum cleaner. For example,battery pack axis1505 is at anangle1507 to the horizontal when theinlet conduit axis1035,cyclone axis1115,filter axis1325, and/orsuction motor axis1205 is generally horizontally oriented. For example,battery pack axis1505 may be generally parallel to a handle axis1025 (seeFIG. 31).

Also, in the configuration shown inFIG. 10, aportion1123 of thedirt collection chamber1122 adjacent therear end wall1124 of thechamber1122 is located below a portion of thebattery pack1500. An advantage of this design (i.e. providing at least some vertical overlap between an energy storage member and a dirt collection region) is that it may help provide a relatively larger dirt chamber capacity while helping to reduce the overall size of thehand vacuum1000.

In the illustrated example, therear end wall1124 of thedirt collection chamber1122 is at an angle to the vertical. As shown,rear end wall1124 is generally parallel to thefront wall1501 of thebattery pack1500 and to thebattery pack axis1505, although in alternative embodiments they may not be parallel.

Also, when theinlet conduit axis1035,cyclone axis1115,filter axis1325, and/orsuction motor axis1205 is generally horizontally oriented, a lower end of thefront face1502 is positioned rearward of an upper portion of thefront face1502.

It will be appreciated that the dirt collection region may be of various shapes which occupies some or all of the additional volume created by orienting thebattery pack1500 such that the lower end extends further rearwardly.

It will be appreciated that some of the embodiments disclosed herein may not use the inclined energy storage members as disclosed herein and that, in those embodiments, any suitable positioning of the energy storage members, if provided, may be used.

Positioning of Suction Motor and Energy Storage Member

The following is a description of different features of a hand vacuum cleaner with a suction motor positioned an upper end of a forwardly-inclined handle and rearward of at least some of the energy storage members. These features may be used by themselves in any surface cleaning apparatus or in any combination or sub-combination with any other feature or features described herein. For example, any of the relative positioning of the suction motor and energy storage members described herein may be used with any of the air flow paths, pre-motor filter assemblies, inclined battery packs, battery pack configurations, airflow cooling configurations, and other features described herein.

In accordance with this feature, the batteries and the suction motor may be positioned so as to reduce the torque experienced by a user operating the hand vacuum cleaner. For example, by positioning a suction motor positioned at or rearward of an upper end of a forwardly-inclined handle and rearward of at least some of the energy storage members, the weight of the suction motor may partially counterbalance the weight of the batteries.

As previously discussed, in some embodiments, batteries used to power thehand vacuum cleaner1000 may be provided at a single location, for example as onelarge battery pack1500 that may include any suitable number ofcells1510, and may include, for example, lithium ion battery cells.

Optionally, abattery pack1500 may be positioned such that some or all of thebattery cells1510 are positioned forward of a suction motor. In this configuration, the distribution of the weight of thebattery pack1500 and the weight of thesuction motor1200 may affect the hand feel and/or perceived balance of thehand vacuum1000.

In the example illustrated inFIG. 10,suction motor1200 is positioned rearward ofcells1510a,1510b,1510c,1510d, and1510eofbattery pack1500. In the example illustrated inFIG. 43,suction motor1200 is positioned rearward ofcells1510a,1510b,1510d,1510e, and1510gofbattery pack1500. In the examples illustrated inFIGS. 36, 40, and 47, all ofcells1510a-1510fare positioned forward of thesuction motor1200.

Suction motor1200 is preferably positioned at the upper end of a forwardlyinclined handle1020, as shown in the illustrated embodiments, although it may alternatively be positioned rearward of the upper end of the handle or at the lower end or at a mid-point of a handle. Additionally, or alternatively, thehandle1020 may be generally vertical or may be rearwardly inclined.

Optionally, abattery pack1500 may be positioned such that a volume defined by thebattery cells1510 is positioned such that an axis ofrotation1115 of acyclone chamber1110 may intersect such a volume when the battery pack is secured to themain body1010. For example, thecyclone chamber1110 may be oriented horizontally, and thebattery pack1500 may be positioned rearward of the cyclone chamber. An advantage of such a configuration is that it may facilitate a more compact design ofhand vacuum1000.

It will be appreciated that some of the embodiments disclosed herein may not use the relative positioning of the suction motor, handle, and energy storage members as disclosed herein and that, in those embodiments, any suitable design may be used.

Nested Energy Storage Members

The following is a description of different features of a hand vacuum cleaner having an energy storage member (e.g. a battery pack that includes one or more battery cells) that is positioned rearward of a dirt collection region and at least partially underlies at least a portion of one or both of a cyclone chamber and a pre-motor filter. These features may be used by themselves in any surface cleaning apparatus or in any combination or sub-combination with any other feature or features described herein. For example, any of the battery pack configurations described herein may be used with any of the air flow paths, pre-motor filter assemblies, relative positioning of the suction motor and energy storage members, inclined battery packs, airflow cooling configurations, and other features described herein.

In accordance with this feature, the some or all of a battery pack may be located beneath some or all of a cyclone chamber and/or a pre-motor filter. For example, the dirt collection region may be configured to enable the battery pack to nest or partially nest therein. Accordingly, the overall length of the hand vacuum cleaner (in the forward/rearward direction) may be reduced, thereby providing a more compact hand vacuum cleaner.

As previously discussed, in some embodiments, batteries used to power thehand vacuum cleaner1000 may be provided at a single location, for example as onelarge battery pack1500 that may include any suitable number ofcells1510, and may include, for example, lithium ion battery cells.

Optionally, abattery pack1500 may be positioned such that at least a portion of thebattery pack1500 is nested vertically spaced from adirt collection region1122. For example, at least a portion of thebattery pack1500 may underlie at least a portion of one or both of acyclone chamber1110 and apre-motor filter1320. In such a configuration, the overall size or length of thehand vacuum1000 may be reduced.

For example, as illustrated in the embodiment ofFIGS. 36 and 40, as well as the embodiment ofFIG. 43, abattery pack1500 is positioned rearward of adirt collection region1122, and theentire battery pack1500 is below a rearward portion of apre-motor filter1320.

In the example illustrated inFIG. 47, abattery pack1500 is positioned rearward of adirt collection region1122, and below a rearward portion of the cyclone chamber and below the pre-motor filter.

As discussed previously,battery pack1500 may include any suitable number of individual battery cells, and the individual cells may be arranged in any suitable configuration. For example, some of the energy storage members (i.e. individual battery cells1510) may be arranged one above another and some may be arranged one behind another, e.g. within asingle battery pack1500. For example, the energy storage members within a battery pack may be arranged in at least two columns in the forward/rearward direction. Accordingly, the battery pack may have a reduced height so as to assist in nesting the battery pack under a pre-motor filter and/or a cyclone chamber. An advantage of such configurations is that they may help provide a compact overall design without adversely affecting the hand feel and/or perceived balance of the hand vacuum.

As illustrated inFIG. 47,cells1510a-1510gare arranged generally in two linear columns of cells. Specifically,cells1510a,1510c,1510e, and1510gare arranged in a first generally vertical column along acolumn axis1505athat in the illustrated example is adjacent and generally parallel to afront wall1501 of thebattery pack1500, andcells1510b,1510d, and1510fare arranged in a second generally vertical column along acolumn axis1505bthat in the illustrated example is adjacent and generally parallel to arear wall1503 of thebattery pack1500.

As illustrated inFIG. 43,cells1510a-1510gare arranged generally in three linear columns of cells. Specifically,cells1510band1510eare arranged in a first generally vertical column along acolumn axis1505athat in the illustrated example is adjacent and generally parallel to a front wall of thebattery pack1500,cells1510a,1510d, and1510gare arranged in a second generally vertical column along acolumn axis1505bpositioned rearward of and generally parallel tocolumn axis1505a, andcells1510cand1510fare arranged in a third generally vertical column along acolumn axis1505cpositioned rearward of and generally parallel tocolumn axis1505b.

It will be appreciated that some of the embodiments disclosed herein may not use the nested energy storage members as disclosed herein and that, in those embodiments, any suitable positioning of the energy storage members, if provided, may be used.

Airflow Cooling of an Energy Storage Chamber

The following is a description of different features of a hand vacuum cleaner having an airflow path in which air exiting a cyclone chamber impinges on a wall of an energy storage chamber. These features may be used by themselves in any surface cleaning apparatus or in any combination or sub-combination with any other feature or features described herein. For example, any of the airflow configurations described herein may be used with any of the air flow paths, pre-motor filter assemblies, relative positioning of the suction motor and energy storage members, inclined battery packs, battery pack configurations, and other features described herein.

Optionally, at least a portion of an air flow path between thedirty air inlet1030 and theclean air outlet1040 may be directed against a wall of an energy storage chamber. For example, a cyclone air outlet may face a wall of an energy storage chamber, whereby air exiting the cyclone chamber impinges on the energy storage chamber wall. In such a configuration, an airflow generated bysuction motor1200 flowing against and/or over such a wall may help cool one or more energy storage members positioned within the energy storage chamber. For example, energy storage members may include chemical batteries, such as lithium-ion batteries, that produce heat while being discharged (e.g. while supplying power to the hand vacuum1000). By directing a stream of air directly at, or at an angle to, a wall of a battery chamber, any boundary layer of air (which may act as an insulator) or laminar flow along a wall of a battery chamber is disrupted, thereby enabling enhanced cooling.

It will be appreciated that the battery pack may be provided in a chamber that receives a battery pack. Accordingly, there may be two walls between the impinging air stream and the batteries, i.e., a wall of the battery pack and a wall of the chamber in which the batter pack is received. Provided the walls contact each other or are adjacent, the impinging air stream will provide a cooling effect.

For example, in the examples illustrated inFIGS. 36 and 40,cyclone air outlet1130 faces arear wall1236 of the upflow duct orconduit1230 that directs air upwardly towards apre-motor filter1320. In these embodiments,rear wall1236 is also a front wall of a recess in whichbattery pack1500 is positioned. That is,rear wall1236 is a wall of an energy storage chamber in which one or more energy storage members (e.g.individual cells1510 and/or abattery pack1500 containing a plurality of cells1510) are positioned.

It will be appreciated that some of the embodiments disclosed herein may not use the airflow cooling of an energy storage member as disclosed herein and that, in those embodiments, any suitable airflow design may be used.

As used herein, the wording “and/or” is intended to represent an inclusive—or. That is, “X and/or Y” is intended to mean X or Y or both, for example. As a further example, “X, Y, and/or Z” is intended to mean X or Y or Z or any combination thereof.

While the above description describes features of example embodiments, it will be appreciated that some features and/or functions of the described embodiments are susceptible to modification without departing from the spirit and principles of operation of the described embodiments. For example, the various characteristics which are described by means of the represented embodiments or examples may be selectively combined with each other. Accordingly, what has been described above is intended to be illustrative of the claimed concept and non-limiting. It will be understood by persons skilled in the art that other variants and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims appended hereto. The scope of the claims should not be limited by the preferred embodiments and examples, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.

Claims (13)

The invention claimed is:

1. A hand vacuum cleaner having a front end, a rear end, an upper end, a lower end and first and second laterally spaced apart sides and comprising:

(a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet;

(b) a cyclone assembly comprising a cyclone chamber positioned in the air flow path and having a cyclone air inlet, a cyclone air outlet and a cyclone axis of rotation, wherein the cyclone axis of rotation extends generally in a forward/rearward direction;

(c) a pre-motor filter positioned downstream of the cyclone air outlet; and,

(d) a suction motor positioned in the air flow path downstream of the pre-motor filter and upstream of the clean air outlet and having a suction motor axis of rotation,

wherein the pre-motor filter is vertically spaced from the cyclone axis of rotation when the upper end of the hand vacuum cleaner is positioned above the lower end of the hand vacuum cleaner, and

wherein air travels generally rearwardly from the pre-motor filter to the suction motor, and

wherein the cyclone assembly comprises a sidewall that extends generally parallel to the cyclone axis of rotation and the pre-motor filter has an upstream surface that extends generally parallel to the sidewall of the cyclone assembly, and

wherein the pre-motor filter has a downstream surface that is opposed to the upstream surface, and air exits the downstream surface in a generally vertical direction when the upper end of the hand vacuum cleaner is positioned above the lower end of the hand vacuum cleaner.

2. The hand vacuum cleaner ofclaim 1 wherein the pre-motor filter is vertically spaced from the cyclone chamber when the upper end of the hand vacuum cleaner is positioned above the lower end of the hand vacuum cleaner.

3. The hand vacuum cleaner ofclaim 1 wherein the pre-motor filter at least partially overlies the cyclone chamber.

4. The hand vacuum cleaner ofclaim 1 wherein the suction motor axis of rotation is generally parallel to the cyclone axis of rotation.

5. The hand vacuum cleaner ofclaim 1 wherein the suction motor is positioned rearward of the cyclone chamber and the suction motor axis of rotation is generally parallel to the cyclone axis of rotation.

6. The hand vacuum cleaner ofclaim 1 wherein the pre-motor filter comprises a generally cylindrical filter having a hollow interior wherein the suction motor has an inlet end that faces towards the hollow interior.

7. A hand vacuum cleaner having a front end, a rear end, an upper end, a lower end and first and second laterally spaced apart sides and comprising:

(a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet;

(b) a cyclone assembly comprising a cyclone chamber positioned in the air flow path and having a cyclone air inlet, a cyclone air outlet and a cyclone axis of rotation, wherein the cyclone axis of rotation extends generally in a forward/rearward direction;

(c) a pre-motor filter positioned downstream of the cyclone air outlet; and,

(d) a suction motor positioned in the air flow path downstream of the pre-motor filter and upstream of the clean air outlet and having a suction motor axis of rotation,

wherein the pre-motor filter is vertically spaced from the cyclone axis of rotation when the upper end of the hand vacuum cleaner is positioned above the lower end of the hand vacuum cleaner, and

wherein air travels generally rearwardly from the pre-motor filter to the suction motor, and

wherein the pre-motor filter comprises a generally cylindrical filter having a hollow interior wherein the suction motor has an inlet end that faces towards the hollow interior, and

wherein the generally cylindrical filter has an outer upstream surface and an inner downstream surface defining the hollow interior and the suction motor axis of rotation intersects the hollow interior.

8. The hand vacuum cleaner ofclaim 7 wherein the cyclone chamber comprises a sidewall that extends generally parallel to the cyclone axis of rotation and the upstream surface of the pre-motor filter extends generally parallel to the sidewall of the cyclone chamber.

9. The hand vacuum cleaner ofclaim 8 wherein the pre-motor filter at least partially overlies the cyclone chamber.

10. A hand vacuum cleaner having a front end, a rear end, an upper end, a lower end and first and second laterally spaced apart sides and comprising:

(a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet;

(b) a cyclone assembly comprising a cyclone chamber positioned in the air flow path and having a cyclone air inlet, a cyclone air outlet and a cyclone axis of rotation, wherein the cyclone axis of rotation extends generally in a forward/rearward direction;

(c) a pre-motor filter positioned downstream of the cyclone air outlet;

(d) a suction motor positioned in the air flow path downstream of the pre-motor filter and upstream of the clean air outlet and having a suction motor axis of rotation; and,

(e) a handle having a hand grip portion that extends upwardly and forwardly when the upper end of the hand vacuum cleaner is positioned above the lower end of the hand vacuum cleaner

wherein the pre-motor filter is vertically spaced from the cyclone axis of rotation when the upper end of the hand vacuum cleaner is positioned above the lower end of the hand vacuum cleaner, and

wherein air travels generally rearwardly from the pre-motor filter to the suction motor, and

wherein the suction motor is positioned rearward of the cyclone chamber, and

wherein the suction motor is located at an upper end of the hand grip portion.

11. A hand vacuum cleaner having a front end, a rear end, an upper end, a lower end and first and second laterally spaced apart sides and comprising:

(a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet;

(b) a cyclone assembly comprising a cyclone chamber positioned in the air flow path and having a cyclone air inlet, a cyclone air outlet and a cyclone axis of rotation, wherein the cyclone axis of rotation extends generally in a forward/rearward direction;

(c) a generally cylindrical pre-motor filter positioned downstream of the cyclone air outlet and having a hollow interior; and,

(d) a suction motor positioned in the air flow path downstream of the pre-motor filter and upstream of the clean air outlet and having a suction motor axis of rotation that is generally parallel to the cyclone axis of rotation, wherein the suction motor has an inlet end that faces towards the hollow interior,

wherein the generally cylindrical filter has an outer upstream surface and an inner downstream surface defining the hollow interior and the suction motor axis of rotation intersects the hollow interior.

12. The hand vacuum cleaner ofclaim 11 wherein the cyclone assembly comprises a sidewall that extends generally parallel to the cyclone axis of rotation and the upstream surface of the pre-motor filter extends generally parallel to the sidewall of the cyclone assembly.

13. The hand vacuum cleaner ofclaim 12 wherein the pre-motor filter at least partially overlies the cyclone chamber.

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